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Music Theory > Harmony > Flashcards

Harmony Flashcards

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1
Q

What notes make up a major triad?

A

Root, major third, perfect fifth.
1 3 5

Major triad formula: Major third + minor third
C (M3) E (m3) G

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2
Q

What notes make up a minor triad?

A

Root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th.
1 b3 5

Minor triad formula: minor 3rd + Major third
A (m3) C (M3) E
D (m3) F (M3) A
E (m3) G (M3) B

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3
Q

What notes make up a diminished triad?

A

Root, minor 3rd, diminished 5th.
1 b3 b5

Diminished triad formula: minor 3rd + minor third.
B (m3) D (m3) F

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4
Q

What notes make up an augmented triad?

A

Root, major 3rd, augmented 5th.
1 3 #5

Augmented triad formula: major 3rd + major 3rd
C (M3) E (M3) G#

This triad is not derived from the diatonic (major) scale. Almost like a musical question mark.

Used to create a suspended or mysterious sound.

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5
Q

What is a Dyad?

A

Two pitches played at the same time, but analysed as an interval.

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6
Q

What diatonic chords are formed when harmonising the major scale?

A 
I - Major
ii - minor
iii - minor
IV - Major
V - Major
vi - minor
vii - diminished
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7
Q

What is the chord called that starts on the 1st degree?

A

Tonic chord

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8
Q

What is the chord called that starts on the 4th degree of the major scale?

A

Subdominant chord.

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9
Q

What is the chord called that starts on the 5th degree of the major scale?

A

Dominant chord.

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10
Q

What is the chord called that starts on the 7th degree?

A

Subtonic chord (diminished chord).

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11
Q

What are the chords called that start on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th degrees of the major scale?

A

2nd (ii) supertonic chord.
3rd (iii) mediant chord.
6th (vi) submediant chord.

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12
Q

What are the ways to indicate that a chord is to be played in first inversion?

A

1st inversion = 3 5 1 (E G C)

I6(a small 6)
Ib
I6/3

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13
Q

What are the ways to indicate that a chord is to be played in second inversion?

A

2nd inversion = 5 1 3 (G C E)

Ic
I6/4

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14
Q

What are seventh chords?

A

Seventh chords are four note chords that include the 7th degree of the scale.

They are the foundation of jazz harmony, and are common in pop music.

Seventh chords aren’t well-suited for styles that use a lot of distortion as the added 7th muddies the sound due to the complex chord type. They are however, great for cleaner genres - funk and disco etc.

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15
Q

What are the five main types of seventh chords?

A
  1. Major 7th
  2. Minor 7th
  3. Dominant 7th
  4. Half-Diminished 7th
  5. Diminished 7th
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16
Q

How is a major 7th chord constructed?

A

Root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, major 7th
1 3 5 7

Formula: major 3rd, minor 3rd, major 3rd
C (M3) E (m3) G (M3) B

Sounds very pretty and rich. Frequently heard in jazz and RnB styles.

Sounds like it has more tension/dissonance due to that semitone interval between the leading note and the tonic.

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17
Q

How is a minor 7th chord constructed?

A

Root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th
1 b3 5 b7

Formula: minor 3rd, major 3rd, minor 3rd
C (m3) Eb (M3) G (m3) Bb

Sounds

The greater distance between leading note and the tonic (a tone) creates more space, compared to the major 7th’s semitone gap.

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18
Q

How is a dominant 7th chord constructed?

A

Root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th
1 3 5 b7

Formula: major 3rd, minor 3rd, minor 3rd
C (M3) E (m3) G (m3) Bb

Sounds like it wants to resolve to the tonic chord. It sounds like an inbetween major and minor sound.

They strongly establish a sense of resolution back to the tonic chord. This is because the notes of the dominant 7th strongly resolve to the tonic:
the first note of the V7 is the highest note of the tonic triad,
The 3rd note of the V7 is a semitone below the tonic,
the b7 of the V7 is a semitone above the 3rd of the tonic.
e.g.
I - C E G
V7 - G B(semitone below) D F(semitone above)
I - C E G

Often used in funk but doesn’t resolve to the tonic, the V7 is often continually played. Often used in James Brown tracks.

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19
Q

How is a half-diminished 7th chord constructed? (i.e. Minor 7th Flat 5)

A

Also knows as the Minor 7th Flat 5.

Called half-diminished as it has a flattened 7th as opposed to the double flatted 7th of the fully diminished chord.

This uses the diminished triad as its base.

Root, minor 3rd, diminished 5th, minor 7th
1 b3 b5 b7

Formula: minor 3rd, minor 3rd, major 3rd
C (m3) Eb (m3) Gb (M3) Bb

Sounds

Common in jazz.

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20
Q

How is a diminished 7th chord constructed?

A

This uses the diminished triad as its base, and the 7th is double flatted (lowered by two semitones).

Root, minor 3rd, diminished 5th, diminished 7th
1 b3 b5 bb7

Formula: minor 3rd, minor 3rd, minor 3rd
C (m3) Eb (m3) Gb (m3) Bbb (or A)

It contains two tritones - C-Gb (tritone), and Eb-Bbb (tritone).

This chord is symmetrical. A common technique to create mystery and suspense is to keep moving it up by minor thirds i.e. its inversions:
C Eb Gb Bbb, Eb Gb Bbb C, Gb Bbb C Eb etc.

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21
Q

What are the chord symbols for the chords?

A

A

22
Q

What are added tone chords?

A

Added tone chords are triads with an added 2nd, 4th, or 6th degree (the intervals not used in the triad or 7th chord).

e.g. C add2 - C D E G (C major triad with a D added).
C add4 - C E F G
C add6 - C E G A

If the 2nd, 4th or 6th degree should occur in the next octave, they are called an add9, add11, add13 chord.

23
Q

In added and extended chords, what is the highest extension possible before the notes start repeating?

A

The 13th.

24
Q

Is ti possible to have combinations of extensions?

A

Yes, for example you might see a C- 11/9 chord.
This means play a Cm 7th (C Eb G Bb) with the added 9th and 11th (D F).

C- 11/9: C Eb G Bb D F

25
Q

In extended chords, where do raised and lowered 9ths often occur?

A

Raised and lowered 9ths occur over Dominant 7th Chords.

e.g.
C7b9 (C E G Bb Db)
C7#9 (C E G Bb D#)

26
Q

In extended chords, where do raised 11ths often occur?

A

Raised 11ths often occur over Major 7th and Dominant 7th chords.

e.g.
CMaj.7#11 (C E G B F#) (though the 5th is often omitted due to the semitone relationship with the F#/G. Sounds bright and hopeful.
C7#11 (C E G Bb F#). Sounds intriguing.

27
Q

In extended chords, where do lowered 13th chords often occur?

A

Flat 13ths occur primarily over Dominant 7th chords.

e.g.
C7b13 (C E G Bb Ab)

28
Q

What are chord extensions?

A

Chord extensions are added tones in the higher octave, e.g. 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths.

29
Q

What are sus chords?

e.g. C sus 2, C sus 4

A

Sus chords are suspended chords.

These are major or minor triads with an added 2nd, or added 4th which REPLACES the 3rd.

e.g.
C sus 2 (C D G) - notice the absence of the 3rd.
C sus 4 (C F G) - notice the absence of the 3rd.

Sus chords have a “suspended” and “ambiguous” sound, as they’re neither major nor minor due to the removed 3rd.

30
Q

What is the difference between an added tone chords and a sus chord?

A

Added tone chords retains the 3rd degree and add the extra indicated pitch.
Sus chords replace the 3rd degree with the extra indicated pitch.

31
Q

What are cowboy chords?

A

Cowboy chords are triads that guitarists learn. They are really just triads that incorporate the open strings on the guitar (first position) - giving them an open string “twang”.

They’re so basic that they’re used in lots of songs.

32
Q

What are power chords? e.g. C5 chords.

A

Power chords are

Power chords used two notes: the Root, the 5t and 8ve.
e.g.
C5 (C G C)

They sound best on distorted guitars because distortion adds a lot of harmonic overtones that are shared with the 5th. Added notes make the chord sound messy.

They give a powerful and rich chord. It’s neither major nor minor due to the lack of a 3rd.

33
Q

What are chord clusters? e.g. tone clusters

A

Chord clusters have at least 3 consecutive scale tones (often semitones) sounding at the same time or in close proximity to each other.

They sound abstract and dissonant. Imagine banging your fist down on the piano. But they can be used in musical ways.

Film composers like using these. Often used very high up and/or very low down.

34
Q

What are arpeggios?

A

Arpeggios are broken chords. They are the sounding of the notes from a chord in sequence. They “imply harmony”.

Arpeggios can be performed in various patterns and span multiple octaves. They often rise or fall, or do both.

To notate an arpeggio we use a squiggly line.

They are a great way to add interest to an otherwise static chordal part. They create a sense of movement.

Electronic and trace music use arpeggios for their hypnotic effect.

35
Q

What is the circle of 5ths and circle of 4ths?

A

The circle of 5ths helps us see how the notes of the chromatic scale relate to one another.

The circle of 5ths is a diagram which helps us see the relationships between diatonic scales. If you read it clockwise you’ll see each successive note is a 5th interval apart.

Reading it counter-clockwise gives us the circle of 4ths, since each successive note is a 4th interval apart.

36
Q

What is a chord progression?

A

Chords, in a progression, move from states of tension to states of resolution.

It also helps to give structure of the song’s form.

You need at least two chords to move back and forth.

e.g.
I-IV-V. In C Major: (C-F-G)
i-iv-v. In C Minor: (Cm-Fm-Gm)

37
Q

What is harmonic rhythm?

A

Harmonic rhythm is the frequency with which chords change in a progression.

38
Q

Why does the chord progression I-IV-V sound so pleasing the the ear?

A

The tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and the dominant (V) all share very similar notes; they’re adjacent to each other in the circle of 5ths. In fact, only one note changes, e.g.
I: C D E F G A B C
IV: F G A Bb C D E F
V: G A B C D E F# G

In addition to this, the accidental used in the IV chord (Bb) is a semitone below the tonic chord (C), and the accidental in the V chord (F#) is a semitone below the dominant (5th note) of the tonic chord (G). Both these semitones create a natural pull towards the tonic chord (I).

39
Q

What are some common chord progressions?

A

I-IV-V
C F G

ii-V-I (the most common progression found in Jazz)
Dm G C

I-vi-IV-V (the 50s progression)
C Am F G

40
Q

Why does the chord progression ii-V-I sound so pleasing to the ear?

A

The ii is the relative minor of the IV chord e.g.
If C Major is the tonic (I), the IV chord is F Major. The ii chord is (D minor), which happens to be the relative minor of F Major and can therefore be substituted for it.

41
Q

What is a chord resolution?

A

A chord resolution is a movement from a state of dissonance/tension to a state of consonance.

42
Q

What is a turnaround?

A

A turnaround is a sequence of chords that leads you back to the tonic. e.g.
iii-VI7-ii-V7
Em - A7 - Dm - G7

The above moves in fourths and leads back to the I chord (the tonic).

43
Q

What is a cadence?

A

A cadence is a resolution occurring at the end of a section or at the end of a song.

44
Q

What is chord substitution?

A

Chord substitution is where you swap a chord in a chord progression for another suitable chord. e.g.
The ii chord is a nice substitution for the IV chord as it is it’s relative major/relative minor. e.g. F-Dm.

45
Q

What is modulation?

A

Modulation a change to a new tonal centre. When a modulation occurs everything is related to a new tonic chord.

The difference between modulation and a chord progression is that for modulation you need to remain in the new tonal centre for a decent amount of time, to give the ear the time to adjust to the new tonal centre.

Modulation is usually notated by a new key signature. e.g.

C Major (no sharps of flats) and then the key signature Eb Major (with 3 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab).

One of the most basic modulations you can do is to modulate from a Major key to its relative Minor key, e.g. C Major to A Minor. But as these two keys share the same key signature, there is no need to notate it on the staff.

46
Q

What are common modulations in Pop music?

A

Pop music often uses modulations up a semitone (half-step) or up a tone (whole-step). The modulation often occurs at the end or ride-out of a song (it helps heighten the emotional impact and kick it up a notch). It’s also a good way to keep interest in the song without creating any new chords or melodies. e.g.
C Major - D Major

47
Q

What is a good modulation?

A

You can modulate to any key that you choose, but the challenge is to do it smoothly.

To modulate smoothly, precede the modulation with the 5 Dominant Chord (V7) of the new key. It gives a very strong pull to the tonic of the new key. It preps the listener’s ears for the change. e.g.

Start with C Maj. and you want to modulate to E Maj:
C-F-G-C-E (not very subtle), but if we put the E Maj’s dominant chord (B7) before the E Maj we get a more gradual shift into the key. We therefore want:
C-F-G-C-B7-E.

48
Q

What is a Pedal Tone? e.g. A Pedal Point.

A

A pedal tone is a note that’s sustained by a bass instrument while chords move above it.

The pedal tone can create a feeling of suspension and tension. They’re often used in the intro of a song to draw the listener’s attention in. They seek to resolve.

Petal tones often occur on the 5 Dominant (V7). e.g.
In C Maj. the pedal starts on G.

49
Q

What is a drone?

A

It’s similar to a pedal tone, but is different in the way that it’s used. A drone is a continuously sustaining note that lasts much longer than a pedal tone.

Drones are self-contained and don’t seek to resolve. Think indian music.

50
Q

What is an Ostinato?

A

An ostinato is similar to a pedal tone and a drone in that it repeats itself over and over again, however instead of a single pitch, it’s a repeating phrase or motif.

It’s typically performed by a bass instrument, but not always. The ostinato needs to be repeated by the same musical voice.

Music Theory (19 decks)

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