Jazz Harmony and Functional Chord Analysis

Vocabulary flashcards based on a deep dive into jazz harmony and functional chord analysis.

Functional Seventh-Chord Harmony

A harmony system where guide tones primarily define function.

Guide Tones

Typically the 3rd and 7th of a chord that indicate its function.

Bass/Root and Top Note

In some textures, these notes strongly define chord function.

Sus Chord

A chord where the 4th replaces or delays the 3rd.

Modal Harmony

Harmony that focuses on tonal centers and colors rather than resolution.

Dorian

A modal scale characterized by a natural 6th.

Passing Diminished Chord

A brief diminished chord forming chromatic voice leading.

Neapolitan Chord

Typically a flat second chord that functions as a predominant in a scale.

Functional Gravity

Most tonal jazz harmony can be perceived as motion between tonic, predominant, and dominant areas.

Tonic Function

The function of a chord that feels like home.

Predominant Function

The function of a chord that leads to the dominant.

Dominant Function

The function of a chord that pulls strongly towards the tonic.

Chord Symbols vs Roman Numerals

Chord symbols represent chords by name, while Roman numerals represent their function or scale degree.

Half-Diminished Chord

A iiø7 chord often appearing in minor cadences.

Dominance of V7 Family

The family of dominant seventh chords exhibiting the strongest pull to tonic.

Compression Rule

Many diminished sonorities are evidence of compressed dominant motion.

Tonic-Return Motion

Often characterized by a descending bass line back to the tonic.

Guide-Tone Law

In functional harmony, the quality and function of chords are best discerned through the 3rd and 7th.

Chord Symbol Decoding

Understanding chords first in terms of stacked 3rds and subsequently adding tensions.

Function Labels

Functional labels denote a chord's role in a progression.

Extended Chords

Chords that include notes beyond the 5th, such as 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths.

Altered Extensions

Example includes tensions like b9, #9, b11, and #11.

Shell Voicings

The simplest and clearest chord structure using minimal notes.

Upper-Structure Triads

Triads voiced above a seventh chord.

Chord-Melody Framework

Building harmony beneath a melody using guide-tone structures.

Bebop Scale Logic

Adding passing tones for strong beat landings while maintaining chord tones.

Diatonic Arpeggios

Playing arpeggios of the key instead of just the scale.

Bebop Passing Tone

A passing tone added to smooth voice leading between chord tones.

Extension Targeting

The practice of prioritizing 9ths, 13ths, and #11s after securing chord tones.

Sustained Bass or Top Note

Can stabilize non-functional harmony when held for a duration.

Pedal Points

A sustained note that underpins changing harmonies above it.

Planing Harmony

Moving chords in parallel without functional sonority explanations.

Slash Chords

Chords indicating bass notes that imply inversion or pedal motion.

Power Chords

Chords that omit the 3rd, leading to ambiguous quality until context clarifies.

Cadence Recognition

The ability to identify phrase endings and functional progressions.

Interval Hearing

Training to recognize the distance between two pitches.

Chord-Quality Hearing

The skill of identifying the quality of chords based on their structure.

Transcription

The process of ear training through isolating and notating music.

Modal Vamps

Single or two-chord structures focused on a tonal center.

Augmented Harmony

Chords characterized by intervals of major 3rds that pivot into familiar shapes.

Diminished Resolution

Refers to how diminished chords can resolve in multiple directions.

Functional Analysis

Evaluating how chords relate and function within a progression.

Secondary Dominants

Tonicizing a target chord with its own dominant.

Dominant Function Types

Different behaviors of dominant chords including resolving and static.

Melodic Minor Modes

Specific modes used to match chordal structures.

Chord-Scale Theory

A method for understanding how scales correspond to chords.

Tritone Substitution

Using chords that share a tritone as substitutes for dominant resolutions.

Comping Rhythmic Primitives

Basic rhythmic patterns used in accompaniment.

Time-Feel Protocol

Guidelines for maintaining the rhythmic feel while comping.

Non-Functional Harmony

Harmony that does not follow traditional rules of resolution.

Functional Chromatic Harmony

Introducing chromatic tensions within functional frameworks.

Borrowed Chords

Chords taken from parallel minor or modal sources to add color.

Chord Family Grouping

Organizing chords by their function and effect on harmony.

Jazz Blues

A form combining elements of jazz harmony with blues structure.

Arranging Concepts

Ideas related to orchestrating harmony across sections.

Functional Return Pressure

The concept of returning to a home chord after departing.

Chord Melodies

Arrangements where the melody is accompanied by harmonized chords.

Comping Colors

The use of different harmonic extensions to add richness.

Jazz Vocabulary

A range of phrases and licks used in jazz improvisation.

Major 6 Diminished Hearing

Perceiving major 6 as tonic while transitioning through diminished chords.

Chord Tone Targeting

Focusing on key notes that define chords during improvisation.

Rhythm Changes

A common chord progression used in jazz standards.

Bebop Language

A style of jazz that emphasizes melody and harmony within a fast-paced context.

Passing Color

A use of color chords to temporarily embellish harmony.

Target Note Protocol

A practice to improve accuracy in hitting chord tones at appropriate times.

Chord Quality Resolution

The outcome expected when resolving a particular chord.

Tonicized Chords

Chords emphasized by their related dominant.

Functional Chromatic Variables

Different ways of approaching chromatic harmony.

Jazz Pedagogy

The methods of teaching jazz theory and performance.

Transitional Devices

Tools and techniques for moving between harmonies.

Diatonic Approach Chord System

Utilizing diatonic chords as approaches to new target chords.

Sharp IV Diminished

A diminished chord commonly acting in tonic-return motion.

Upper-Structures and Shells

Higher chords and their simplified structures used in comping.

Lower Register Comping

Using lower register voicings to support harmonic motion.

Timing and Pulse

The essential rhythmic elements that dictate the feel of jazz.

Extended Tensions

Color additions to chords that enrich their harmonic sound layer.

Comping Basics

Foundational skills and techniques necessary for effective jazz comping.

Substitutions in Harmony

Using different chord options to achieve harmonic variety.

Hearing Resolution Targets

Recognizing key tones that a resolution aims to achieve.

Functional Resolution Variants

Variations of how dominants resolve within common progressions.

Chordal Relationships

The interconnections and dependencies between different chords.

Chord Spelling Techniques

Methods to write and analyze chord structures.

Segmented Analysis

Breaking down a piece to understand its harmonic structure.