Verbal Association, Minor Tonality

Watch the video lesson below.

We will follow the same learning model that we used in major tonality for our second tonality: Minor. Here is the tonal sequence: MI FA MI RE DO TI SI LA. The sequence ends on LA because LA is the resting tone in minor tonality.

Labeling Harmonic Functions

Minor Tonic

Any combination of LA, DO and MI is called a minor tonic pattern. It is often called the “1 chord.” Or even simpler: “1.” If you were in the key of D minor, and you were to strum a Dm chord on the ukulele, you would be hearing a combination of LAs and DOs and MIs. This is a tonic pattern in minor.

Minor Dominant

Any combination of MI, RE, TI and SI is called a minor dominant pattern. It is often called the “5 chord.” Or even simpler: “5.” If you were in the key of D minor, and you were to strum an A7 chord on the ukulele, you would be hearing a combination of MIs and REs and TIs and SIs. This is a dominant pattern in minor. Sing MI RE TI SI.

Minor Tonal Patterns

Just as you did with major, listen to and engage with these patterns in minor tonality. This set includes tonic and dominant patterns in minor tonality. When you listen to the patterns, you should be able to engage with them using pattern learning tools from your toolkit.

You should be able to sing only the first pitch of each pattern, and audiate the rest.
You should be able to sing the resting tone LA.
You should be able to echo the pattern using solfege.
You should be able to name the harmonic function by singing its name on the chord root. Use your chosen verbal association. (You could sing “Minor tonic” and “Minor dominant” or just simply “One” and “Five.”)

Listen to the patterns and engage with them in the above ways until you feel like you have mastered them. Use the videos below.

Patterns-Only Video, Key of D minor