THE COMPLETE HARMONIUM PLAYER SERIES
Module 1: Foundations in Music Theory for Harmonium
March 14th - April 4th, 2023
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 809 126 5037
Welcome!
course Objectives
Gain practical understanding and experience with some of the foundational elements of music - melody, harmony, and rhythm - as they relate to playing the harmonium, singing, and kirtan.
Lay a foundation for a lifelong appreciation of music, harmonium playing, and kirtan and a deeper study of all these subjects.
Improve your ability to play the harmonium and speak the language of music with other musicians.
Stimulate your own personal growth, musicianship, and connections with others in this community.
Course Overview*
Week 1 - Opening “Circle”, Major Scales and Melody
Major scale formula, playing scales in different keys, harmonium fingering exercises
Week 2 - Major/Minor Chords and Harmony
Major and minor chord formulas, inversions, chord voicings
Week 3 - Rhythm and Time Signatures
Beats, 4/4 and 3/4, keeping time
Week 4 - Course Integration, Closing
Putting it all together through review and a final practice exercise
*This is a projected schedule and may be adapted and changed depending on actual group needs and progress.
Class Conduct
As best as you are able, please arrive on time for class. In the event that you need to be late to class please contact Ferdie via email or text: hello@sethyogamusic.com / 206.484.8014.
Please refrain from using your cell phone during class if possible. It may be a distraction to Seth and other students. Be as fully present as you can!
Course Materials
Please download and either print or have available digitally the PDF files for each class, found below.
Class video download links will be available by 3pm EST on Tuesday’s, following each class
Week 1
Major Scale Formula
Major Scale Exercises
Fingering Exercises
Ma Durga with Melody Notation Sheet
Ma Durga by Krishna Das on Spotify
Week One Video Link (Expires April 2024)
Homework Assignments
Apply the major scale formula to the blank sheet and fill out out twelve major scales
Review the fingering exercises and practice on your own
Practice Ma Durga. Optionally transpose melody into another scale, using the scale degrees.
S.R.I. R.A.M. by Jai Uttal on Spotify
Week Two Video Link (Expires April 2024)
Homework Assignments
Fill out the 12 major and 12 minor chords; Optionally, figure out and play the 1st and 2nd version of each chord.
Transpose the chords from last week’s chant, Ma Durga, to one or more different keys.
Using the S.R.I. R.A.M. chant:
Fill in the chord letter name
Fill in the chord numbers, using the scale degrees
Optionally, transpose the chant from the key of A major to another key
Week Three Video Link (Expires April 2024)
Homework Assignments
Practice, with or without metronome, clapping each beat.
Try just saying counts while clapping
Add the upbeat "and"
Try just saying the upbeat "and" only
Practice clapping the rhythms, then try and match them with the correct recording