This week’s Learning during Lockdown introduces new films on iRCO, which, coupled with recordings of recent webinars, form an introduction to practical harmony for the beginner, and a course in keyboard harmony and the structure of Bach chorales for RCO examination students.  During lockdown many organists have been taking to keyboard instruments other than the organ: we explore the results, and the music they’ve chosen to play.

Simon Williams explains the circle of fifths, and shows how it is useful for both keyboard and written harmony.

The second of two films on harmony for beginners is particularly suitable for anyone preparing for the ARCO Diploma examination, where harmonising a melody is part of the keyboard skills tests.

This is the first of a series of two films on harmony, presented by Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick.  The films are aimed at complete beginners as well as those with some knowledge, and also will help those preparing for the ARCO exam.  This first film begins with introducing terminology, and looks at the seven chords of the major scale, cadences, and popular sequences of chords. 

Simon Williams provides guidance in this download on how to practice the ARCO keyboard skills, which include transposition, score reading, and harmonisation at sight, as well as improvisation, figured bass and sight-reading tests.  He suggests useful material – music and books – to help take your studies further. Hints on practising & performing ARCO keyboard […]