Music theory week 2

What is a chord in its root position?

Where the root is the lowest e.g C-E-G

What is a chord in its first inversion?

Where the third is in the lowest e.g E-G-C

What is a chord in its second inversion

Where the fifth is in the lowest e.g G-C-E

What is a figured bass?

A shorthand system for describing the intervals above the bass note.

When was the figured bass first developed?

In the Baroque period (around 1600-1750)

What is the figured bass in the root position using C major?

C in the bass, with E and G above = 5/3

What is the figured bass in the first inversion using C major?

E in the bass, with G and C above = 6/3 ( usually written 6).

What is the figured bass in the second inversion using C major?

G in the bass, with C and E above = 6/4

What is a dominant seventh chord?

A dominant chord is built on the fifth degree of the key. For example in C major, the fifth degree is G, so the dominant seventh is G7.

What is the formula for a dominant seventh chord?

Major triad + minor seventh. G dominant seventh (G7) = G-B-D-F

What is the purpose for dominant seventh chords?

The seventh creates tension and a sense of movement towards the new chord. The chordal seventh normally resolves down by step. For example, F moves down to E when G7 resolves to C.

What is the figured bass for the dominant seventh inversion in root position?

7 E.g In G-B-D-F (G7) chord, G-F is the seventh degree.

What is the figured bass for the dominant seventh inversion in first position?

6/5. B-D-F-G (first inversion) B-G is the sixth degree and B-F is the fifth degree.

What is the figured bass for the dominant seventh inversion in second position?

4/3.

What is the figured bass for the dominant seventh inversion in third position?

4/2 (or 2)

What is a fully diminished 7th chord?

A diminished triad plus another minor triad - m3 + m3 + m3

What is a half diminished 7th chord?

A diminished triad plus a major third - m3 + m3 + M3

What is the difference between a fully and half diminished triad?

The interval added above the diminished triad.

What are extended dominant chords? V7,V9, V11,V13…

These are dominant chords with extra notes added above a triad.

Composers from which era typically used extended dominant chords?

19th century composers.

What do V9 and V13 also include?

They are include the seventh.

In a V11 chord, what is usually omitted to avoid a semitone clash with the eleventh?

The third is usually omitted.

What is the usual movement in a V7 extended chord?

It moves down by a step

What is the usual movement for a V9 extended chord?

It moves down by a step

What is the usual movement for a V11 extended chord?

It usually stays on the same note (the tonic)

What is the usual movement for a V13 extended chord?

It usually falls by a third

What is a Neapolitan sixth chord?

It’s a first inversion major triad, built on the flattened second scale degree

Where are Neapolitan sixth chords usually found in a piece?

In a minor key passage, commonly approaching the dominant chord, especially at a cadence

What is a typical progression for a Neapolitan sixth chord?

N6 - V - I

Which inversion is the Neapolitan sixth chord usually in?

The first inversion

What are the three different types of augmented sixth chords?

Italian sixth, French sixth and German sixth

What is an example of an Italian sixth chord in C major?

Ab - C - F# ( three notes: add the tonic C)

What is the defining feature of the augmented sixth chords?

Their defining feature is an augmented sixth interval between two notes. These notes normally move outwards by semitone towards the dominant.

In C major, the dominant is G. The two notes surrounding G are:

• A♭, a semitone below G.

• F♯, a semitone above G.

What is an example of a French sixth chord in C major?

Ab - C - D - F# ( four notes: add D, a major second above the tonic (C)

What is an example of a German sixth chord?

Ab - C - Eb - F# ( four notes: add Eb, a minor third above the tonic (C)

Which chord type do the augmented chords resolve towards?

The dominant chord

How to identify chords in an extract?

1. Find every note in the chord. Check clefs, key signature and accidentals.

2. Arrange the notes into root position if possible.

3. Check the intervals between the notes.

4. Identify the chord type.

What are the four part harmonies in a Bach choral?

SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass)

What interval should a soprano, alto and tenor NOT leap more than, unless moving by an octave?

They should NOT leap more than a fifth

True or false? You should avoid leaping twice in the same direction

True

True or false? If two chords share a note, try to keep that note in the same voice

True

True or false? The bass can’t make larger leaps, especially around cadences.

False - The bass CAN make larger leaps

In a major/minor root position chord, what can be doubled?

The root or the fifth

In a major/minor first inversion chord, what can be doubled?

The root or the fifth

In a diminished triad (usually first inversion), what can be doubled?

The third

In a second inversion triad, what can be doubled?

The fifth

What should we avoid doubling regarding the major/minor triads?

The third unless absolutely necessary

True or false? Avoid parallel fifths and parallel octaves

True

What else should be avoided when it comes to writing bachchorales?

Voice crossing ( where one voice moves beyond the normal range of an adjacent voice)

Where should the leading note resolve upwards to?

The tonic

Where should the seventh of a seventh chord resolve down by?

It should resolve down by a step

True or false? The tenor shouldn’t be kept around the region of middle C

False ( the tenor SHOULD be kept around the region of middle C)

In which four part harmonies can large gaps between voices occur?

Between the tenor and bass NOT between the upper voices (soprano and alto)

What is the general movement for a harmonic progression?

Tonic - Subdominant - Dominant - Tonic

What progression should be avoided?

ii - I

vi - I

V - ii

V - IV

What are the steps for harmonising a melody?

1. Work out the key and chord hierarchy.

2. Identify cadences.

3. Make a simple harmonisation: list the possible chords for each melody note.

4. Write the bass line.

5. Write the inner parts (alto and tenor).

6. Check voice-leading rules across all parts.

7. Check your work.