2/26_Black Keys/Chord Progressions 1

Basic

Yesterday we took some time to learn about the white keys of the keyboard.

How many different notes are there?

Which ones have we learned so far?

So, today, we're going to talk a little bit about the remaining notes - the ones on the black keys.

The black keys don't have their own letters like the white keys do (ABCDEFG). Instead, the black keys are named by where they are in relation to the white keys.

A black key that is to the right of a white key is called a sharp.

A black key that is to the left of a white key is called a flat.

Here are the symbols of sharps and flats:
Here is what they look like on an actual keyboard:
What do you notice about each of the black keys?

OK, here is the important thing about black keys:

Black keys each have two names because they are always to the right of one white key and to the left of another.

Confused? It's actually not so tricky. Think about it...

There is black key in between F and G. If you're going up from F, then it is called F sharp. If you're going down from G, then it is called G flat.

OK, so today you're going to do 2 things:

• Get a keyboard worksheet from Mr. Runde and fill it out.
  
• Do the assignment below

Assignment

1. Open Reason and create a new file.
2. Create a Redrum and load some sounds into it.
3. Make a 32-step drum beat and put it into your Sequencer Window for  8 bars (Bar 1 - Bar 9)
4. Now, using either Pattern 2 or a second Redrum, make a 2nd drum beat (16-step is fine) and put it into your Sequencer for another 8 bars (Bar 9 - Bar 17).
5. Now Create a Subtractor Analog Synthesizer. 
6. Load a sound into it that you like (no FX or Percussion please).
7. Set your loop markers to the first part of your beat (L marker on Bar 1, R marker on Bar 9) and let your beat play. 
8. Using the black keys on your keyboard, come up with a melody on the Subtractor. When you've got it down, record it.
9. Now move your markers so that the L is on Bar 9, R is on Bar 17.
10. Create a 2nd Subtractor and load a different sound into it.
11. Again, using the black keys, come up with a second melody and record it.
12. When you're done, move the L marker back to Bar 1 and play the whole thing back from the start. Does the transition sound cool? 
13. Save this as your name_black keys and put a copy in the Dropoff folder.

 
Advanced

• Fill out the keyboard worksheet from Mr. Runde
• Find the 1st, 4th and 5th notes of the scale.
• Ask Corina or Mr. Runde to show you how to make chords with each of these notes.
• Make a 16 bar beat using this chord progression.