I plan to slowly roll out most of my materials for Freshman theory here.
My most common Google search phrase to date has been "circle of fifths worksheet," even though
I never actually posted one. So what the heck, here it is.
One of the big surprises in teaching Freshman theory was that intervals were so difficult
to explain. I think this packet gives the subject its due.
This packet is heavily indebted to George Fisher, for whom I worked at NYU.
Covers the basics of the 4-voice texture - spacing, doubling, SATB vs. keyboard-style notation,
and the I-V-I progression. My definitions for spacing and doubling are somewhat idiosyncratic, but not
incompatible with traditional terms. I've found that starting students off my way (with all close spacing, "normal" doubling, and keyboard
style) eliminates a lot of the crappy results and gives you something solid to build on.
Yep, I do the "getting started" thing first, and
then I start listing off the rules. I think
a few common rules (like the "frustrated leading tone") can be withheld until the second semester.