THE COMPLETE HARMONIUM PLAYER SERIES

Module 3: Chant Writing for Harmonium

May 23rd - June 13th, 2023

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 809 126 5037

Welcome!

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. Gain insight into the process of creating original chant music

  2. Discover what approaches to creativity work best for you

  3. Create your own chant music to share with our class

  4. Build community around chant music

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 4

Week Four Video Link (Expires June 2024)

 

Week Three Video Link (Expires June 2024)

Homework Assignment

Using a chant that you’ve already written:

  1. Create a second section for something that you’ve already written OR

  2. Create a third section if you’ve already written two sections.

  3. If you’re creating a third section, the rhythm must change and become faster.

  4. If you want to create a fourth section, you can stay with the same rhythm as section three but change the melody, i.e. go to a higher octave. Or, you can slow the rhythm down again as in section two. 

Homework Assignment

Similar to your Week One assignment, use a blank notation sheet to create a new chant. You can create it in 4/4 or 3/4 time (a blank chant sheet in 3/4 is available for you above). However, this assignment begins with creating a melody, first:

  1. Get inspired by a melody that comes to you naturally, intuitively. You can refer to the section titled “How to Create, Find Your Formula” in last week’s handout “Chant Writing for Harmonium”, to help influence and inspire your creativity.

  2. Once you’ve settled on a melody, then follow the steps listed in Week One homework assignment. You can refer to the section titled “3 Different Creative Exercises” from last week’s handout for additional guidance.

  3. Additional guidance is provided in this week’s handout “Harmonizing a Melody” under the section “Considerations and Practice for Harmonizing a Melody”

 

Homework Assignment

Using the blank notation sheet, begin the chant writing process by using the following steps:

  1. Determine the chord progression - Seth suggests the I, IV, V and VI chords, using a minimum of two chords, with a chord change of no more than once every 4 beats.

  2. Choose a progression that sounds good and makes sense for your ear.

  3. Once you have the progression, choose a simple mantra that’s “square” like the Maha Mantra, Sita Ram or Govinda Jaya Jaya and start to create, improvise and see where it wants to go.

  4. As an additional support to this process, you can record the melody on your phone, to reference what it sounds like.