Picardy Third: The Harmonic Composition Game Created by Ruth Paget
Objective:
Learn the vocabulary or jargon of harmonic composition in Barron’s AP (Advanced Placement) Music Theory Test Preparation book. Learning the vocabulary first makes learning the concepts and understanding the illustrations in the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth chapters in Barron’s Music Theory easier.
Some junior colleges and colleges will award college credit for a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Music Theory examination. Having college credit awarded for one class saves tuition money.
Some high schools offer AP test preparation classes. Some businesses like Princeton Review and Kaplan can find tutors for the AP Music Theory examination.
Skills and Related Jobs:
Mastering AP Music Theory will allow you to read and write music. Related jobs include composer, musician (if you practice), singer (if you practice), concert organizer, and music industry writer.
Materials Needed:
-Barron’s AP Music Theory test preparation book
-index cards
-markers
-access to Google pronunciation
Number of Players:
1, 2, 4, or a group of single players for a society game.
Method:
-Create flash cards with the vocabulary word on the front and the definition, symbol, and/or demonstration notes on the back. Look in the AP Music Theory book for this information.
-Learn the words two at a time.
-When you have learned ten words, test yourself on spelling and meaning.
-Continue to test yourself ten words at a time till you have learned all the words.
-Once you have learned the vocabulary words, read the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth chapters two or three times to see if you understand the concepts.
-Finally, practice doing the exercises on separate sheets of paper first so you can correct answers.
Play Picardy Third till you have learned the following words:
-altered chords
-borrowed chords
-chromatic mediants
-closely related keys
-common chord
-pivot chord
-mode mixture
-modulation
-common chord modulation
-pivot modulation
-direct modulation
-chromatic modulation
-phrase modulation
-parallel keys
-picardy third
-temporary tonicization
-dominant function
-tonicization
-leading-tone relationship
-resolutions
-secondary function
-secondary dominant
-secondary leading tone
-creating and using the road map
-deceptive cadence
-doubling notes in a triad
-mode mixture
-contrary motion
-similar motion
-parallel motion
-oblique motion
-parallelism
-picardy third
-resolution rules
-secondary dominants
-secondary leading tones
-unequal fifths
Have fun learning the building blocks of music!
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
