Aura Lee is a sentimental ballade of the American Civil War era. It enjoyed wide popularity, adopted by soldiers on both sides. More recently, the melody was used in Elvis Presley's 1956 hit song Love Me Tender
This song uses primary chords and the applied dominant chords V7/IV, V7/V, and V7/vi and their resolutions. Listen carefully to determine when these chords are heard in the audio track. You will then create an arrangement based on what you heard.
Instructions:
- Listen to the audio file called "Real" and identify the chord changes.
- Be sure to locate the V7/IV - IV, V7/V - V, and V7/vi - vi cadences.
- Mark the chord changes on the "Rhythm Worksheet" at the start of the measure where they occur.
- Use the "Melody" track to check your choices by playing the root note of the chord you think matches. Do your choices "agree" with the melody?
- Choose a voicing style from the list below and write your harmonization on either the "Melody" or the "Two-Handed Accomaniment" Worksheet.
- Play your harmonized melody hands together or accompany a singer.
