Harmony in Music Theory

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to harmony, scale degrees, triads, and intervals in music theory.

Harmony

Two or more notes sounding at the same time.

Interval

The distance between two notes, qualified as major, minor, perfect, diminished or augmented.

Triad

A chord consisting of three notes forming the basic structure of harmony.

Scale Degree

The position of a note within a scale, denoted by numbers such as I (Tonic), II (Supertonic), III (Mediant), IV (Subdominant), V (Dominant), VI (Submediant), VII (Leading Tone).

Major Triad

Constructed with the notes 1, 3, 5.

Minor Triad

Constructed with the notes 1, b3, 5.

Diminished Triad

Constructed with the notes 1, b3, b5.

Augmented Triad

Constructed with the notes 1, 3, #5.

Root Position

The arrangement of a triad with the root note at the bottom (1-3-5).

Inversion

The arrangement of the notes of a triad where the root is not the lowest note.

Harmonic Minor Scale

Shares the key signature of its relative major but has a raised 7th note as an accidental.

Relative Minor

Found by counting three semitones down from the tonic of a major scale.

Relative Major

Found by counting three semitones up from the tonic of a minor scale.