What
Goes UP, Must Come DOWN SAMPLE LESSON (complete
as it appears within PMMO)
As the musical alphabet (ABCDEFG) is played in alphabetical order
(to the right), each following tone is higher in pitch; it sounds
like it goes UP.
AUDIO EXAMPLE (0:06)
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allow up to one minute for audio to load.
As
the musical alphabet is played in reverse order (GFEDCBA - to the
left ), each following tone is lower in pitch; it sounds like it
goes DOWN.
AUDIO
EXAMPLE (0:05)
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allow up to one minute for audio to load.
99.99+% of all music you have ever heard in the past, or will hear
in the future, uses a combination of this UP and DOWN movement to
create recognizable tunes (or melodies). (Illustration 7.)
AUDIO
EXAMPLE (0:10)
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allow up to one minute for audio to load.
Illustration
7.
Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star
Take
a moment to hum through several of your favorite songs, and pay
attention to the UP and DOWN movement of melody.
Because melodies move alphabetically forward and backward (up and
down), it will be helpful to learn the musical alphabet forward
and backward. This is about as easy as counting from 1 through 7,
then backward from 7 to 1. If you find the alphabet to be more difficult,
it is only because you haven't done it before.
Exercise
1:
AUDIO
EXERCISE (3:33)
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allow up to one minute for audio to load.
(a)
Recite the musical alphabet forward, starting with A. (A-B-C-D-E-F-G)
(b)
Recite the musical alphabet backward, starting with G. Just for
fun, to determine if you can do it, close your eyes and try it now.
(c)
If you need more help, think slowly and use the following to guide
your thoughts:
Say "G"
Before saying the next letter aloud, ask yourself:
What comes before G? (F)
What comes before F? (E)
What comes before E? (D)
What comes before D? (C)
What comes before C? (B)
What comes before B? (A)
What comes before A? (G)
Quickly
reciting the alphabet backward may be a little tricky at first.
A fun idea to help you remember is to make a word out of it.
GFEDCBA
spells a word. (pronounced - gee-fed'-see-bah)
(How do you spell GFEDCBA? G-F-E-D-C-B-A)
Being able to easily recite the seven letter musical alphabet forward
and backward is a simple skill you will use to play melodies by
ear. It's also the first step to understanding "how music thinks"!
LEARN it NOW!
*Note:
At the time of this writing, I have personally taught this method
to 7500+ students. With few exceptions, those who can recite the
alphabet forward and backward play most easily. Those who have trouble
reciting the alphabet, generally seem to have trouble playing music
in any form.
It only takes a few minutes to learn the alphabet backward from
the letter "G". You can practice while driving, jogging, walking
or resting.
The next time you're with a good friend, lean close as if you have
a secret to share, and recite the musical alphabet backward as quickly
as possible. Your friend will be amazed (and dumbfounded) at your
new ability!
POINTS
TO REMEMBER:
Alphabetical Order = UP = HIGHER TONES = To the RIGHT
Reverse Order = DOWN = LOWER TONES = To the LEFT
Knowing the alphabet forward and backward will help you to quickly
understand the UP and DOWN motion of music. It's also the first
step to understanding "how music thinks"!
