Adding triadic harmony to ground bass
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can apply triadic harmony to a ground bass.
Key learning points
- Triadic harmony is using triad chords to add harmony to a piece of music.
- The triad is the root, third and fifth of a chord.
- There are seven chords in the scale. The most used chords are the primary chords I, IV, and V.
- To add triadic harmony to a ground bass pattern, choose chords which have the bass note as part of the chord.
Keywords
Triadic harmony - harmony built on thirds, using the root, third and fifths notes of the scale
Chord - two or more notes played together at the same time
Root - the main note of the chord and the note the chord is named after (e.g. the root note of a C major chord is C)
Primary chords - the three main chords in the scale - I, IV and V
Common misconception
When adding chords to a bass line, the chord has to be the same as the note in the bass.
In most cases the bass note should be one of the notes in the chord, but doesn't always have to be the lowest note of the chord. For a balanced chord sequence most notes in the bass lines should be the root, but not all have to be.
Teacher tip
The task could be adapted to compose in other keys (or instruments). The play one, miss one, play one, miss one, play one pattern only works for triads which use the white notes on the keyboard. More explanation would be required for pupils to transfer this to other keys.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a ground bass?
Q2.The first and most important note in a scale is called the ...
Q3.Which note is the dominant in the C major scale?
Q4.The note is the seventh note of a scale, which often feels like it needs to rise to the tonic.
Q5.What is a chord?
Q6.The main note that gives a chord its name is called the note.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which are the three primary chords?
Q2.What are chords I, IV, and V in the key of C major?
Q3.Which best describes the shape of a triad on the keyboard?
Q4.When we add harmony using chords built on the root, third, and fifth, we are creating harmony.
Q5.How do we reinforce the key in music?
Q6.The dominant chord (V) naturally wants to return to which chord?
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Adding triadic harmony to ground bass, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Adding triadic harmony to ground bass, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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