Dichord Exercises In C Major

Note: All audio tracks are downloadable


Dichords are two notes in immediate, stepwise succession.

They are always treated in context (e.g. a key/scale, etc).

In major scales, there are two types (or species) of dichord:

  • Major dichord (also known as a whole step)

  • Minor dichord (also know as a half step)

They always occur between the same scale degrees in major scales, no matter the key.


Establishing the Key

Because dichords exist within a key and scale, it’s essential to know what key and scale we’ll be in.

As in class, here is a way of using your ears and feeling of resolution to know this information.

Follow this exercise first.


Steeping the Dichords using a Triplet Rhythm for Minor Dichords / Half Steps

1). Step the dichords as we have practiced in class, being sure to step with the front of your feet and to keep your head up.

2). Sing the scale degrees

3). Sing the letter names

Use the following recordings to help you.
Work up to your ability to step and sing on your own, using the Accompaniment Only track below.

4). Play and sing these on your keyboard instrument, using both scale degrees and letter names.


Gesturing the Dichord with Your Hand

Standing or sitting in place, sing the dichords and use your hand to show each major dichord (whole step) and each minor dichord (half step).

  • For Major Dichords (Whole Steps): Use a flat palm moving up/down depending on whether you ascend or descend in the scale

  • For Minor Dichords (Half Steps): Use the “fist wring” as we have done in class

1). Using the tracks below, sing on scale degrees while gesturing with the hand

2). Using the tracks below, sing on letter names while gesturing with the hand

3). Develop the ability to sing scale degrees/letter names with the Accompaniment Only below

4). Play and sing on your keyboard instrument. Use one hand to gesture, the other hand to play and always sing!