Circle of 4ths with Systematic Inversions

Here's a chording exercise that combines the diatonic circle of fourths (a pair of diatonic chord scales) with systematic inversion and string transference—essentially all of the Greene-inspired chord operations. On first approach, play each row in order.

( C 1 chord 6 8 1 + 5 10 5 + 4 9 7 + 3 9 3 + ( over [ swap dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 1573 td ] tr ) swap ( over [ swap i+ dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 3715 td ] tr ) swap ( over [ swap i+ i+ s- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 5137 td ] tr ) swap ( over [ swap i+ i+ i+ s- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 7351 td ] tr ) swap drop table ) center class

The last row of chords, with 7s in the bass, will challenge the ear. “Breaking these chords up softens the dissonance” (MCP p.23). That is to say, try plucking the (3 5 1) and adding the 7 a beat later.

Now, combine the rows in a zig-zag pattern:

  • Start by playing Cma7
  • Go down a row to play Cma7/ E.
  • Stay on that row and play the next chord, Fma7/ A.
  • Go up a row to play Fma7.
  • Stay on that row and play the next chord, Bmi7♭5.
    •

    Continue in this pattern until you reach the last column. When you're comfortable switching rows, extend the zig-zag pattern to three or four rows.

    Here's another form to work with.

    ( C 1 chord 6 8 1 + 4 9 7 + 3 9 3 + 2 8 5 + ( over [ swap dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 1735 td ] tr ) swap ( over [ swap i+ dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 3157 td ] tr ) swap ( over [ swap i+ i+ dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 5371 td ] tr ) swap ( over [ swap i+ i+ i+ dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ dupe 5- dupe 4+ am 7513 td ] tr ) swap drop table ) center class