The Akousunesis Method

Ex 3- Run-away River

Introduction

The purpose of this exercise is to have you thinking in terms of intervals and chords so you're able to improvise over the existing melody if desired. Over time, you will develop interval pattern recognition, which is inline with the way we hear melodies, for example, the sound of a 3 2 1 harmonic sequence may repeat over several chords, but the melodic sound is the same. To represent a 3 2 1 sequence with notation, you rely on notation visualisation, however with the Akousunesis method, your fingers will automatically move up or down to match the melodic interval sequence of what is heard, and create a direct memory association with the harmonic interval series which is shown visually. This method allows for easier transposition, as traditional notation offers no visual transposition.

I've broken down the song into intervals and lyrics played over chords, I've also included the song without the bass line, the song skeleton and finally the lyric and chords only. I've also included exercises inspired by the song melody to push your skill level a little further each time. With these videos, you're also learning how to translate traditional notation into a format which is more naturally inline with the way we hear music, giving you understanding and multiple memory associations.

The chords today are C, Dm, Em, F and G. If you choose to sing, it will help with the memorisation of the melody. Singing also allows you to add your own melodic rhythm, making the piece of music a little more exciting.

Chord, lyrics, intervals and bass

The following representation shows the exact interval and finger placements for both right and left hands. This is not to be used as a crutch, you use it to work out what your hands are doing. In future lessons, the left hand is not going to be shown as you'll learn to develop your own left hand accompaniment.

C Dm Em Dm

Running a - way to the o - cean

3 2 1 -3 2 1 -3 -3

RM I T R M I P R

1 1 1 1

LP R M R

C F Em Dm

is the riv - er

3 6 +5 1

RM I T I

1 2 3 1 2 1 1 1

LP R M I T I M R

C Dm Em F

No-bod-y tells him he shouldn't be running a -

3 2 1 -3 2 1 -3 -2 1 6 7 1

RM I T R M I P R M I M R

1 1 1 -3 1

LP R M R I

G F C

way at all

6 6 1

RM I T

1 1 2 1 3 5 3 1

LT I T I M T M P

Chord, lyrics, intervals

You may use the following as a crutch as you work out the melody with your right hand. Concentrate on your right hand with basic left hand 1 5 1 accompaniment. Once you are happy with the right hand, you may add more detail with the left hand.

C Dm Em Dm

Running a - way to the o - cean

3 2 1 -3 2 1 -3 -3

C F Em Dm

is the riv - er

3 6 +5 1

C Dm Em F

No-bod-y tells him he shouldn't be running a -

3 2 1 -3 2 1 -3 -2 1 6 7 1

G F C

way at all

6 6 1

Chord, lyrics

This is where you want to eventually end up, the melody is now in your head, the chords and lyrics will become enough of a visual crutch for you to remember the song. You're now able to concentrate on melodic rhythm and the emotional feel of the song. You're always able to make the melody more interesting than the original score by experimenting with different rhythmic flows, trying to match the rhythm with a syllable - note combination.

C Dm Em Dm

Running a - way to the o - cean

C F Em Dm

is the riv - er

C Dm Em F

No-bod-y tells him he shouldn't be running a -

G F C

way at all

Song Skeleton

The song skeleton allows you to concentrate on the melodic direction of the music without all the clutter. It will free your mind ready for improvisation.

C Dm Em Dm

3 -3 -3 -3

C F Em Dm

3 6 +5 1

C Dm Em F

3 -3 -3 6

G F C

6 6 1

Finger placement exercises

The R & L hand symbols apply for the entire line, follow the rise > and fall < symbols. The symbol | | means to play the line and the next line together with both hands together.

The following exercises are inspired by the melody above and build upon it. These exercises are not to be used as a crutch, they are designed without timing information to allow your rhythmic ear to develop naturally. Once you work out the finger movements, look at your hands and observe the intervals. Start to add your own rhythmic feel. Remember, rhythm needs to come naturally without you thinking about it.

Bars 1 to 4

C < || RM3 I2 T1 >R4 <M3 I2 >P5 <R4

C > LP1 R2 M3 <R2

C < RM3 I2 T1 >R4 <M3 I2 >P5 <R4 M3

C < LM3 R2 P1 >I4 <M3 R2 >T5 <I4 M3

C > || RM3 R4 P5 <I2 M3 R4 <T1 >I2 M3

C > LM3 I4 T5 <R2 M3 I4 <P1 >R2 M3

C < || RM3 I2 T1 >R4 <M3 I2 >P5 <R4

C == LP1 M3 P5

Bars 5 to 8

C == || RT1 M3 P5

C < LM3 R2 P1 >I4 <M3 R2 >T5 <I4 M3

C < || RM3 I2 T1 I2

C > LP1 R2 M3 I4 T5 <I4 M3 R2

C >< || RT1 I2 M3 R4 P5

C >< LP1 R2 M3 I4 T5

Dm || RI1 R-3 P5

Dm >< LP1 R2 M-3 I4 T5

Bars 9 to 12

C < || RM3 2 T1 >R4 <M3 I2

C > LP1 R2

C < || RP5 R4 M3 I2 >M3 R4

C > LM3 I4

C < || RM3 I2 T1

C < LT5 I4 >T5 <I4 M3 >T5 <M3 P1

C < RP5 R4 >P5 <R4 M3 >P5 <M3 T1

C < LT5 I4 >T5 <I4 M3 >T5 <M3 P1

Bars 13 to 16

G || == RT3 M3 P1

G < LT1 P1 I5 T1

C < || RM3 I2 T1 I2

C > LP1 R2 M3 I4 T5 <I4 M3 R2

Questions

Q1 What key signature is Dm Dorian?

Answer. To find the key signature of any Dorian scale, what you need to know is the Dorian is the second mode in the western scale, a tone above the root of the key signature. So if the root of the Dorian mode is D, then move a tone down from D to the note C, C is the key signature.

Q2 What is the key signature for Em Dorian?

Q3 What is the key signature for F#m Dorian?

Q4 What is the key signature for Bbm Dorian?

Q5 What is the key signature for Em Dorian?