Writing or playing?

By Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkeviciene (get free updates of new posts here)​

Why do some people have easier time in playing chord progressions than others?

I have been teaching Cadential 6/4 chord (Tonic second inversion chord used in cadences - G-C-E in C major) in harmony for 10th graders this week.

There's a lot to think about here. How to connect it with the previous Subdominant chord and how to connect it with the next Dominant chord. And all these progressions can be harmonic, melodic or even with leaps of various sorts.

Part of the assignments are written and part of them - played. They usually write harmonizations in 4 parts of melodies that are 8 measures long. At the same class they also have to play chord progressions and sequences.

I've noticed that some of the students do better in writing and some - in playing.

Why is it so?

I guess 3 of the main deciding factors are:

1. Speed of mental processes
2. Facility with the keyboard instrument
3. Diligence in practice

You need all 3 to work together in both types of assignments.

​But if you act more logically yet don't play a keyboard much - written assignments will be your strength. If you are used to the keyboard but sort of act more emotionally than logically - you will be able to play better than write.

But for any of this to happen, you also need to be a hardworking person when it comes to practice.

So, what comes easier for you in harmony - to write or to play spontaneously?