Harmony

Primary Chords

I IV V, in a major scale these chords will be major chords

Secondary chords

II III VI, in a major scale these chords will be a minor chords

Inversion

When the root note of the chord is not played as the lowest sounding note. First inversion = root played at top, Second inversion = root played in middle

Diatonic

When only the notes from the chosen key/scale are used within a piece of music

Tonic

1st note of a scale/key

Supertonic

2nd note of a scale/key

Mediant

3rd note of a scale/key

Subdominant

4th note of a scale/key

Dominant

5th note of a scale/key

Submediant

6th note of a scale/key

Leading note

7th note of a scale/key

Perfect cadence

chords V→ I (sounds finished)

Imperfect cadence

chords ?→ V (sounds unfinished)

Plagal cadence

chords IV → I (sounds finished, often in hymns, referred as the ‘amen’ cadence)

Interrupted cadence

chords V→ VI (sounds unfinished, shift from major to minor or vice-versa)

Chord progression

A series or succession of chords played in a sequence

Harmonic rhythm

The rate at which the chords change

Pedal

A repeated/sustained note, often in the bass, used to create dissonance and is played throughout a section/piece of music

Dissonance

notes that clash, producing harsh sounding chords, often used to add tension/conflict

Power chords

chord that consists of root note + 5th. Commonly played on electric guitar, key element of many styles of rock