Harmony rules Flashcards
IV - V
Bass ascends, everything else descends to the next available note in the chord
V - VI
Double the third in chord VI and approach the third by step in contrary motion
What to double in a major chord
- Root
- 5th
What to double in a minor chord
3rd
What is the leading note
7th degree of the scale that resolves up to the tonic if it doesn’t have a full chord
Distance between parts
S and A: No more than an octave, the closer the better
T and B: Can be an octave or more
Highest to lowest notes
S: always highest, then A, then T and Bass always the lowest
T cannot be higher than A
A cannot be higher than S next note
SAT is generally high and played in the left hand while B is generally low and played in the right hand
Melodic progression
No part may leap and augmented interval, i.e. augmented 2nd, 4th, or 5th
The leading note should rise to the tonic in the progressions V-I and V-VI
Harmonic progression
No two parts should move in parallel 5ths or octaves (consecutive 5ths/octaves)
suspensions
-preparation: the note is prepared on a weak beat in a constatant context
-suspension: the same note is played on a strong beat in a dissonant context
-resolution: the note resolves descending stepwise in a constatant context
Ic
chord I in 2nd inversion
acts as a step to chord V
it’s a 6-4 chord where the 6th above the bass falls to a 5 and the 4th above the bass falls to a 3
on a strong beat
7th note
7th degree of any scale/7th of a chord and often moves down
Offside rule
any low part cannot be higher that the high parts next note
