Learning Harmony and Improvisation Using Conversational Solfege

Perfectly suited for students at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels, this volume is the culmination of John M. Feierabend's best-selling curriculum. As with all books in the Conversational Solfege series, this book continues the 12-step "ear-before-eye" approach while exploring the concepts of harmony and improvisation. To facilitate effortless aural learning, the book employs solfege syllables, clever illustrations, melodic patterns, and a unique method for part-singing called vocal chording. The first four units in the book introduce basic harmonic functions in major and harmonic minor, and the following eight units explore the various modes and their implied harmonies. Improvisation is the natural extension of harmonic understanding; this book presents ten challenge levels that ask students to perform increasingly difficult improvisational skills while vocal chording. In keeping with the Conversational Solfege tradition, units conclude with a representative sampling of folk repertoire and classical music, complete with bass lines and chord charts. With the effective step-by-step process presented, harmonic and improvisational understanding are more accessible and intuitive than ever.