MU Volume 2 - Section 1 Extended Chords, 6th Chords, and Modulations (Ch 3-5) Flashcards
Describe the purpose of using extended chords in a piece of music.
Extended chords are used to provide color and tension to a piece of music by including the 9th, 11th, and/or 13th scale degrees from the associated chord scale.
Do extended chords in four-part writing have a requirement to omit some tones? If so, why?
Yes, in four-part writing, there is a requirement to omit some tones in extended chords to limit the chords to only 4 notes for the sake of harmonic clarity.
What is the most commonly omitted pitch in an extended chord and why?
The 5th, as it is least important in establishing tonality and color.
How are 9th chords typically resolved in major and minor keys?
In major keys, the 9th resolves downward by a step to the nearest diatonic note of the resolution chord, while in minor keys, the interval between the root of the chord and the 9th is typically minor and also resolves downward.
Describe 11th chords and common omission.
Also referred to as sus4 chords, typically presented in root position and often omit the 3rd to avoid clashing with the 4th.
Describe the composition of 13th chords and the omitted pitches.
13th chords are typically written in root position with the 5th, 9th, and 11th omitted to maintain clear tonality and avoid a clash with the 3rd.
Do altered chords serve a specific purpose in music composition? If so, which chord is most often altered?
Altered chords are used to create desired tensions and tone colors in music composition. The dominant or V chord is most often altered due to its impact on the tonality of the tonic key.
Define Raised Fifth
AKA an augmented chord usually appears on I, IV, or V chords in Major keys, always resolving upward a half step
Define Lowered Fifth
AKA V7b5 resolves down to the root of the tonic chord. May be used in root position or first inversion.
Define Raised Root
Chords with the leading tone as the root (i.e. viio7/ii)
AKA Secondary leading tone chords
Describe the chord scale for all sub7’s (tritone subs) that resolve down by half step to their target.
The chord scale for all subV7’s (tritone subs) that resolve down by half step to their target is Lydian b7.
Define Neapolitan 6th chord.
The Neapolitan 6th chord is a Major quality chord based off the lowered supertonic scale degree and can be used in both Major and, more commonly, minor keys. It is named “6th” because it is usually notated in first inversion. (bII^6)
How can the Neapolitan chord be symbolized in chord notation?
The Neapolitan chord can be symbolized as a ♭II chord or the more common N” (N6) chord symbol.”
Describe the functionality of Neapolitan 6th and augmented 6th chords within a progression.
Neapolitan 6th and augmented 6th chords are most commonly used with a dominant preparation function and focusing on creating smooth voice leading using chromatic alterations.
Do all the examples of Neapolitan 6th chords and augmented 6th chords come from the Neapolitan School in Naples, Italy?
No, although the name Neapolitan comes from its association with the Neapolitan School in Naples, Italy, examples of this technique being utilized can be found prior to this era.
Define the functionality of the first inversion Neapolitan chord.
The first inversion Neapolitan chord functions as a II, IV, or V/V chord as they resolve to the dominant and can be approached by any chord that would typically approach the II such as the I, IV, VI or ii.
Describe the resolution of a Neapolitan 6th chord to a V7 chord.
The lowered supertonic scale degree of the Neapolitan 6th chord resolves downward when moving to the dominant, often utilizing common tones and avoiding parallel octaves.
Define the cadential 6/4 chord and its function in relation to the Neapolitan 6th.
The cadential 6/4 chord, based off the tonic, functions as a precursor to dominant movement when resolving from a Neapolitan 6th to the dominant, often delaying the resolution slightly.
How do augmented 6th chords resolve to the dominant?
Augmented 6th chords move with an outward, (from #4 and b6) contrary motion when resolving to the dominant, utilizing stepwise motion and/or common tones for additional voices inside the augmented interval.
Describe the Italian augmented 6th chord.
The Italian augmented 6th is the simplest form of the four variations, consisting of only three tones and serving as a foundation for the other variants of the augmented 6th chords.
Do Neapolitan chords occur in root position?
In rare cases, a Neapolitan chord can occur in root position, typically followed by a root position tonic chord, with the fifth of the Neapolitan ascending to the tonic to avoid parallel 5ths.
Define the function of the Neapolitan 6th chord as a secondary dominant within a progression.
The Neapolitan 6th can function as a secondary dominant within a progression, helping to establish the dominant and create smooth voice leading to the following chord.
How are augmented 6th chords named and what scale degrees create the augmented interval?
Augmented 6th chords are named for the augmented 6th interval found above the bass note, created by the ♭6 and ♯4 scale degrees, which surround the 5th and set up smooth, half step voice leading to the dominant.
Describe the voicing and voice leading practices when resolving a Neapolitan 6th to a V7 chord.
When voice leading the Neapolitan 6th in four part writing, it is common practice to double the bass of the chord while using contrary or oblique motion within the upper voicings, utilizing common tones and avoiding parallel octaves.
What is the abbreviation and analysis of the French augmented 6th chord?
The French augmented 6th is abbreviated as Fr+6 and analyzed as II 4 3.
Define German Augmented 6th
The third variation of Aug 6th chords, modifying the Italian 6th by adding the lowered mediant from the tonic key. It sounds like a dominant 7th chord; analyzed IVb5
Describe the Swiss augmented 6th chord.
The Swiss augmented 6th is an enharmonic equivalent to the German augmented 6th, containing a raised supertonic instead of a lowered mediant, and is abbreviated as SW+6.
