Chords Flashcards
Primary chords
Chords built on the 1st, 4th and 5th degrees of a major or minor scale
Supertonic chord (II)
Built on the 2nd degree of the scale
How do we identify chords?
Using Roman numerals, we identify chords. These are each built on a degree of the scales, which gives us the number of the chord
Root of a chord
Note that the chord is built on
Root position
Position in which the root note is at the bottom of a chord
A phrase
A portion of a melody, a bit like a musical sentence
Cadence
Sequences or chords that complete a phrase. These can make the phrase sound finished or unfinished, depending on which cadence is used (similarly to punctuation).
Three types of cadences
- Perfect
- Plagal
- Imperfect
These are all made using the chords I, II, IV, or V
Which cadences are suitable for the end section of music?
Perfect and plagal, as they sound finished
Which cadences are suitable for ending phrases throughout the piece?
Imperfect cadences, as they sound unfinished
Chords
They can be made up of more than three notes, for example, cadences can be four-note chords, by including one of the notes of the triad at two different octaves.
Perfect cadence
V - I
Plagal cadence
IV - I
Imperfect cadence
I - V or II - V or IV - V
Cadences in minor keys
Chord V will contain the raised leading note