Improvisation — Blues in F with Duets or Trios

Play By Ear — Begin with melodies alone and progress to melodies with harmony.

• Melodies
  • Learn a melody that uses only major 5-finger pattern pitches, e.g. “Hot Cross Buns”, “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, or “When the Saints Go Marching In”.
  • Learn a pentatonic melody. (See Pentatonic Playing by Ear.)
  • Learn a melody that stretches a little beyond the major 5-finger pattern, e.g. “Star Wars Theme” or “This Land is Your Land”.
• Melodies + Chords 
  • The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)
  • “Gilligan’s Island” Theme Song: The tune and chords are entirely in natural minor. The melody begins with dominant and tonic. The harmony uses only i, VII & VI chords. Each verse moves up a half step.
  • Memorize the vi - ii - V - I progression in C with your left hand. Next, add one of the following melodies with your right hand: “Blue Moon”, “The Jeopardy Theme” or “Heart and Soul”. For fun: G: I - vi - ii⁷ - V⁷
  • Take Me Out to the Ball Game uses mostly I - vi - ii⁷ - V⁷ progressions. Later vi and ii are changed to secondary dominants.

Play and Sing — Sing one line with solfège while playing the rest on a piano.

• Beethoven “Emperor” Piano Concerto
• Menuet from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena