Dichord Exercises in F 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 while stepping. Once this is comfortable, use your hand to gesture as we have done in class.

3). Sing the letter names. Once this is comfortable, use your hand to gesture as we have done in class.

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

Accompaniment Tracks

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.