Alternating Bass for Chords.
It is best to demonstrate this technique before explaining it. As a followup to the Root-Chord technique introduced in Class #11, the sound is easily identified with country and bluegrass. The association with the perfect fifth interval sets the stage for future study of theory, since this interval plays such a prominent role in the circle of fifths and its applications. Students sometimes mistakenly add 5 letters to the root, so must be cautioned to label the chord root as number “1,” with the interval figured from that point to the letter at number “5.” Use the perfect fifth relationship to determine and diagram the alternating basses for all chords learned in this course.

Harmonizing “Happy Birthday.”
To present the primary key chords, ask students to list the chords used in several songs from the text. (Omit those in minor keys.) Point out that the first and last chords of the songs are the same, and explain that this chord identifies the key of the song. Help them to see the patterns of reoccurrence of groups of chords. (For example, the songs “Skip to My Lou” and “Down in the Valley” are both in the key of D, and use the chords D and A7.) Make a chart showing the key chord first, followed by the others in alphabetical order by root. Analyze the root relationships within each key by interval, and the consistency of I – IV – V7 relationships will become obvious. Explain that these chord groups enable a start at “playing by ear,” as well as helping with songwriting.
Harmonizing “Happy Birthday” provides an immediate reinforcement of the concept. (The unfinished chart is on p.75 of Guitar QuickStart.) Choose a key at random from those in the text. The key chord (I) will be the first and last chord. The chords in between may be any of the primary chords in any order, so one must “use the ear” and experiment while singing the song to complete the harmonization. I suggest “singing with the same chord until it doesn’t sound right. Then try either of the remaining two chords to see which fits best.” After the chords have been established, play and sing the song to prove that they “work.” Transposition can be demonstrated very simply: Ask students if the song is too high or low for them to sing. Select a higher or lower key and show the transposition by matching chord functions. Point out that some songs may have more than one solution, and that matching chords to tunes takes practice, just as playing does. If time permits, additional songs may be harmonized.

Final Exams.
It is valuable to talk and play through the performance final as a review technique.

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CLASSES #13 & #14:

Final exams: written and performed.
The final performance exam is listed in detail at the conclusion of the Syllabus.Fifteen minute time slots are ideal, but larger classes may require smaller segments of time to accommodate everyone.