Music Theory II

Melodic Sequence

A melodic pattern that is repeated immediately in the same voice but beginning on a different pitch class

Tonal Melodic Sequence

Keeps the pattern within a single key

Real Melodic Sequence

Transposes the pattern to a different key

Harmonic Sequence

A series of chords in which the roots of the chords form a pattern that is repeated at another pitch level

Circle-Of-Fifths Sequence

Consists of a series of root movements down a 5th (and/or up a 4th)

Cadential Six-Four Chord

A tonic six-four that delays the arrival of the V chord that follows it

Passing Six-Four Chord

Harmonizes the middle note of a three-note scalar figure in the bass

Pedal Six-Four Chord

Elaborates the root-position chord that precedes it and usually follows it as well.

Form

Concerns the ways in which a composition is shaped to create a meaningful experience for the listener

Cadence

A harmonic goal or the chords that are used at a harmonic goal

Authentic Cadence

Some form of V or vii° followed by I or I6

Perfect Authentic (PAC)

Root-position V or V7 followed by a root-position I with 1ˆ in the soprano over the I chord

Imperfect Authentic (IAC)

Any authentic cadence that is not a PAC

Deceptive (DC)

V followed by some chord other than I, usually vi or VI

Half (HC)

A cadence that ends on V

Phrygian Half (HC)

iv6–V in minor

Plagal (PC)

IV–I

Structure Cadence

A strong cadence (the PAC, root-position IAC, and HC) that tends to most likely occur as the goal of an important formal unit

Motive

The smallest identifiable musical idea

Phrase

A relatively independent musical idea terminated by a cadence

Subphrases

Two or more distinct portions that usually constructs a phrase

Period

Two phrases combined if they seem to go together as a musical unit and if the second phrase ends with a more conclusive cadence than the first

Double Periods

Just like periods, except that each half of the structure consists of two phrases rather than just one

Repeated Phrase/Repeated Period

Does not produce a new kind of formal unit and should not be confused with a period or double period

Phrase Group

A group of phrases that seem to belong together without forming a period or double period

Sentence

A musical unit consisting of an initial musical idea, a repetition or variation of that idea, and a subsequent passage that moves to a cadence

Nonchord Tone (NCT)

A tone, either diatonic or chromatic, that is not a member of the chord

Passing Tone

An NCT that fills in the space between two other tones by moving stepwise between them

Neighboring Tone

An NCT that embellishes a single tone by moving stepwise away from and then back to the tone

Suspension

An NCT that delays a stepwise descent in a line

Suspension’s Three Phases

Preparation, suspension, and resolution

Suspension Types

9-8, 7-6, or 4-3

Retardation

Similar to a suspension, but it delays a stepwise ascent and resolves upward

Arpeggiations

Leaps from one chord tone to another

Appoggiatura

An NCT that is approached by leap and resolved by step

Escape Tone

Approached by step and resolved by leap in the opposite direction

Neighbor Group

Embellishes a single pitch by sounding its upper and lower neighbors in succession

Anticipation

Anticipates a tone that belongs to the next chord

Free Anticipation

An anticipation that resolves by leap

Pedal Point

Stationary pitch that begins as a chord tone, then becomes an NCT as the harmonies change, and finally ends up as a chord tone again

V7 Voice Leadings

Chordal 7th resolves down by step; Leading Tone resolves up by step

V7 —>

I (3 roots, 1 third)

V65 —>

I

V43 —>

I or I6

V42 —>

I6