Popmatics Composition Book PDF

# Popmatics Composition Book ## Front Cover A black cover with a white piano keyboard at the bottom and the words **Popmatics Composition Book** printed in white. ## Inside Cover **This book belongs to:** * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ **Date Started Date Completed** * _...

# Popmatics Composition Book ## Front Cover A black cover with a white piano keyboard at the bottom and the words **Popmatics Composition Book** printed in white. ## Inside Cover **This book belongs to:** * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ **Date Started Date Completed** * _blank space_ * _blank space_ **popMATICS and the popMATICS logo are registered trademarks of Anthony James Parlapiano. ©2021 Parlapiano Studio. All Rights Reserved.** ## Index **Content** **Page(s)** * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ * _blank space_ ## A Note From The Creator My first experience playing keyboards in a band was with a group of entirely self-taught musicians. The band leader provided recordings for material to learn and expected everyone to show up to rehearsal prepared. Although I had absorbed some basic music theory throughout my public education, I had no concept of how to approach learning by listening. The other musicians were older, more experienced, and it seemed so natural for them. But without written notation, a chord chart, or at least someone telling me where to place my hands, I couldn't hang. From an early age, these musicians had the freedom to develop a deep connection to their instrument without interference—no corrections along the way. They learned through a process so organic and so personal that they couldn't explain how it happened. On the other hand, I can recall how difficult it was to reach their level and the unnecessary steps taken along the way. I created popMATICS to provide students with a streamlined approach that preserves the organic process and celebrates creativity. The foundation is rooted in building a comprehensive understanding of functional harmony by thinking in numbers before letters. This composition book includes charts and diagrams that provide access to essential information and the space to record your experiences of learning by listening. Discovering the math behind the music will ensure you develop the necessary skills to keep you returning to the piano as part of the rhythm of life. Through practice, you'll gain the confidence, ability, and pure joy of being able to hang whenever other musicians surround you. - Tony Parlapiano ## Blank Page ## Blank Page # The C Major Scale and The Chromatic Scale An image of a piano keyboard with the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B labeled on the white keys, and the notes C#, D#, F#, G#, and A# labeled on the black keys. Next to the piano keyboard are two musical staffs. The first staff contains notes for the C major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. The second staff contains notes for the chromatic scale starting with C and rising to the next C. **Landmark: The Five C’s** # Borders and Center Stage An image that contains four piano keyboards that are labeled “Borders Unit 1”, “Borders Unit 2”, “Borders Unit 3”, and “Borders Unit 4”. Each keyboard has two red flags and two blue flags placed above the keys, with the leftmost and rightmost flags being red and the two middle flags being blue. Another image contains four piano keyboards labeled “Center Stage Unit 1”, “Center Stage Unit 2”, “Center Stage Unit 3”, and “Center Stage Unit 4”. On each keyboard, a green star is placed above the third key, and another green star is above the leftmost key. # Waves and Red Track / Blue Track An image that contains four piano keyboards labeled “Waves Unit 1” through “Waves Unit 4”. Each keyboard has a purple wave drawn above the keys. The waves on the keyboards labeled “Unit 1” are U-shaped, whereas the waves on the keyboards labeled “Unit 2” are M-shaped. Another image contains four piano keyboards labeled “Red Track / Blue Track Unit 1” through “Red Track / Blue Track Unit 4”. Each keyboard has a red line and a blue line drawn above the keys. On the keyboards labeled “Unit 1”, the blue line is above the red line. On the keyboards labeled “Unit 2”, t he red line is above the blue line. Each line starts on a red circle and ends on a blue circle. # Primary Stations A diagram that contains seven boxes that are connected by red arrows. Each box depicts a different key signature, and the boxes are arranged in a way that shows the movement from one key signature to the next in fifths. The boxes are: - CGDAE - B - Gb (F#) - Db Ab Eb - Bb - F - C # Circle and Swing A diagram of a circle drawn with a black background and white numbers. The number “1” is written at the bottom, “4” and “5” are written on either side of the number “1”, and “7” is written at the top. # Triad Tower A diagram that contains four groups of four notes (indicated with a vertical line for each group) labeled: - **Grp Root 3rd 5th** - **3rd 5th Root** - **5th √ 3rd** The notes in each group are: - **Fourth Group:** B, D#, F# - **Third Group:** Bb, D, F - **Second Group:** Gb, Bb, Db - **First Group:** Ab, C, Eb - **Fourth Group:** D#, F#, B - **Third Group:** D, F, Bb - **Second Group:** Bb, Db, Gb - **First Group:** C, Eb, Ab - **Fourth Group:** F#, B, D# - **Third Group:** F, Bb, D - **Second Group:** Db, Gb, Bb - **First Group:** Eb, Ab, C - **Third Group:** C#, E, A - **Second Group:** C#, E, A - **First Group** A, C#, E - **Third Group:** G#, B, E - **Second Group:** G#, B, E - **First Group:** E, G#, B - **Third Group:** F#, A, D - **Second Group:** F#, A, D - **First Group:** D, F#, A - **Augmented** R+4+4 (notes are “D#”, “F#”, “B”) - **Major - Starting Level** R+4+3 (notes are “C”, “Eb”, “Ab”) - **Minor** R+3+4 (notes are: “C# ”, “E”, “A”) - **Diminished** R+3+3. (notes are “F#”, “A”, “D”) **Minor Adjustments:** To flip the tonality from Major to minor, lower the 3rd of each triad by a half step. The root and 5th remain unaltered. # Basic Chord Scales A grid of piano keys labeled with the scales and chords # Anchors & Cradles A diagram with keys 1-7 (7-1) arranged in a circle. Arrows indicate the movement from one key to another. Two of the arrows are labeled "Hold and Drop" and "Hold and Raise". # The Circle of Triads A circle with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 written around the outer edges of the circle. The numbers are connected by arrows, some of which are labeled “Raise” and the other “Drop.” # Primary Chord Scales (with alternate Routes) A grid of piano keys labeled with the scales and chords and the numbers 1 - 5. Below each number is a “phone number” showing the alternate route/s for that specific chord. # Primary Chord Scale Shows how the “phone number” relates to a triangle with the numbers 1, 4, and 5 written at the bottom. # System Essentials A table that includes the following: - **14541** - **PLT** - **PCS** - **#136-2457** - **Alt Routes** - **Major Variants** - **Minor Variants** Each item in the table is followed by a row of numbers with checkmarks above them. # The Circle of Fifths A circle with the notes of the chromatic scale written around the outer edges of the circle. The notes are: A, Bb, C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, Gb, G, Ab, and A. # Closing Page The name POPMATICS in white is printed on a black background. Below the name is the formula: **_1_ _4_ _5_** **#136-2457** **_53_** At the bottom of the page are the words “Parlapiano Studio” and the company’s phone number and website: 860.604.1983 parlapianostudio.com.