harmonic techniques

Question 1

Suspension

Answer 1

A note from one chord is sustained into the next chord, thus creating a dissonance, as the note held belongs to the first chord and not the second. The dissonant note must then resolve downwards to form a consonant with the next chord.

Question 2

Circle of 5ths

Answer 2

The music modulates through adjacent keys on the circle of fifths in order

Question 3

Tierce de Picardie

Answer 3

In a minor piece, the final tonic chord is a major chord instead of a minor chord.

Question 4

diminished 7ths

Answer 4

A chord made up of a diminished triad and a diminished 7th. That is, a tonic, minor 3rd diminished 5th and diminished 7th. The notes are all a minor 3rd apart.

Question 5

Half diminished

Answer 5

A chord that is the same as a diminished 7th, but with a minor 7th at the top rather than a diminished 7th.

Question 6

Secondary dominant

Answer 6

A chord which is the dominant (5th) chord in another key and which is not present in the key of the music. This is most commonly 5/5, that is, the dominant of the dominant. Thus, in C major, the most common secondary dominant would be D major, the dominant of G major.

Question 7

Extended Chords

Answer 7

Chords made up of thirds going above the 7th. So for instance, there might be a 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th. All the notes are a third above the preceding one. (Killer Queen regularly uses F11 chords and B flat/ C chords)

Question 8

Chromatic Alterations

Answer 8

The chromatic alteration of notes within a chord eg C flat 9.

Question 9

Augmented Chords

Answer 9

A triad with an augmented (sharpened) 5th.

Question 10

bare fifth

Answer 10

A triad missing the 3rd, so that it only contains the 1st and 5th

Question 11

Quartal harmony

Answer 11

Harmonic structures built on the use of the perfect, diminished and augmented 4th as intervals

Question 12

Added sixth chord

Answer 12

A triad with a 6th added above the root

Question 13

neapolitan Chord

Answer 13

A flattened second chord in first inversion. So in the scale of C minor, the flattened second is D flat, so the Neapolitan chord is D flat major first inversion, so F, A flat, D flat

Question 14

Substitution Chord

Answer 14

A chord used in place of another chord, which fulfils the same harmonic function as the chord it has replaced. Samba Em Preludio uses substitution chords to make the same repeated phrases more chromatic

Question 15

Static harmony

Answer 15

Harmony focussing essentially on one chord. Release uses this harmony.