Chord progressions in different keys.
This activity is used to practice chord progressions in different keys. It
works best during the first semester of class piano. It makes use of a
cooperative technique called "Inside/Outside Circle."
The instructor prepares as many different cards as there are students in the class. Each card contains, in its front side, the name of a key (e.g. d minor), two or three measures of rhythm (e.g. 2/2 quarter quarter | quarter quarter | half ||), and a Roman-numeral chord progression underneath the rhythmic notation (e.g. 2/2 i iv6/4 | i V6/5 | i ||. In its back, the card features the same exercise in regular staff notation, and a written description of each chord (e.g. d minor , g minor in second inversion | d minor, A7 in first inversion | d minor ||).
Each student gets one card, and is supposed to quickly learn and practice the sequence with the help of both sides of the card. Then students are paired into 4 dyads: dyad 1 (composed of students A and B), dyad 2 (students C and D), dyad 3 (E & F), and dyad 4 (G & H). Each dyad is given 5 minutes to work privately. Student A shows the FRONT of his card to student B. Student B is supposed to perform the progression. If there are mistakes or hesitations, student A must coach and explain the progression to student B WITHOUT spelling out the chords, until B learns it and is able to play it. Then student B shows the front of her card to student A, who in turn must play it and get coaching if necessary.
After five minutes, students A and B exchange cards (student A keeps student B's card and vice versa). Immediately after, students A, C, E and G move to the next dyad in the following way.
Original formation:
A-B
C-D
E-F
G-H
New formation:
G-B
A-D
C-F
E-H
The playing and teaching process is repeated. This time, student B in dyad
1 must teach student G the progression she just learned from A a few minutes
ago, and G must teach B what he learned from H in the previous round. The
rotating process is repeated until everyone has played all progressions.