1. EXPLORING TRIADS
EXPLORING TRIADS
Since harmonization is the groundwork of historical preluding, the basic triads will be the first elements to learn.
Major and minor triads can be practiced all over the keyboard as shown in the following example. It is recommended to learn the corresponding chord symbols as well and to become familiar with the differences between major and minor triads.
The following example shows two versions of a triad spread out over the whole keyboard.
If the hands easily span an octave range, this version could be more suitable.
A full overview of all triads and the corresponding symbols can be found here.
Each triad has a root postion and two inversions, which can be practiced as well.
The number of chords to be learned varies according to the learning speed. But as soon as one is familiar with a number of chords and the and their symbols, small experiments can be performed in a playful way and with limitless possibilities. For example, chords can be alternated while crossing the hands, and various parameters such as dynamics can be used in creating short improvisations.
The improvisations can be performed within or out of the context of the 18th- or 19th-century music, it's just exploring the chords in a personal way, so it could be a contemporary approach as well.