Bach Chorale - Choosing the Right Chord at the Right Time

Chords in a Major Key

I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii^o

Chords in a Minor Key

i - ii^o - III - iv - V - VI - VII

Chords I(b) & V(b)

The most frequently used chords (followed by vi, viib, IV(b), ii⁷ and iii)

Chords vi and IV

Follows chords I(b) & V(b)

Chord II

ii7 is a common chord often used at a cadence in its first inversion (ii⁷b) but can also be used mid-phrase

Chord iii

Should only be used in close proximity to vi

1st inversion chords (b)

Bach Chorale must have a mixture of root position and first inversion chords

2nd Inversion Chords (c)

Ic is the only 2nd inversion chord permitted

(Vc can be used as a passing chord but not recommended)

Anacrusis

Implies V-I or I-I (with an upward octave leap in bass) chord progression

Cycle of 5th progressions

Progressions where the root falls a 5th are particularly strong

Major: I - IV - vii^o - iii - vi - ii - V - I

Minor: i - iv - VII - III - VI - ii^o - V - I

7th Chords

• Only ii and V can be seventh chords

• Generally only found at cadences

• Can be used mid-phrase, as long as the 7th is only passing.

Secondary Dominants (Level 5)

• Secondary dominants are a chromatic chord that act as a temporary dominant for any diatonic chord in the key (bar chord vii).

• These do not indicate a modulation.

• Secondary dominants are often used as an approach chord to a perfect cadence. (i.e. turns a ii⁷b - V - I into a II^7b - V - I in a 2 - 3 or 2 - 2 - 1 melody) - ‘turns the minor ii chord into major’