Music Flashcards
What is the first criterion for a strong harmonic progression?
Chords share the same note,
creating a smooth and natural connection.
This is the most important criterion
and the foundation of harmonic progression.
What is the second criterion for a strong harmonic progression?
Chords have a pleasing harmonic integer, reinforcing the connection and flow.
This builds on the shared note and is the second most important rule.
What is the third criterion for a strong harmonic progression?
The chord before the tonic contains the leading tone, creating a strong resolution.
This is context-specific and the least important of the three.
What is the strongest harmonic relationship between two chords?
The relationship between the tonic (I) and the dominant (V).
What are the three criteria for strong harmonic progression?
1) Chords share the same note,
2) Chords have a pleasing harmonic integer
3) The chord preceding the tonic contains the leading tone.
What is cadence in music?
A feeling of resolution and completion
in a progression,
often resolving from
the dominant (V) to the tonic (I).
Why do most Western music progressions resolve from V to I?
It provides a sense of resolution and fulfillment, creating a satisfying ending.
What is
a strong harmonic integer?
A strong harmonic integer is
an interval between
the root notes of two chords
such as a perfect fifth (5 intervals up)
or perfect fourth (4 intervals down),
creating a pleasing
and natural harmonic connection.
Where does the strong/weak progression
come from?
The concept of strong/weak progression comes from music theory, based on harmonic tension and resolution.
Strong progressions follow the harmonic criteria (shared note, pleasing harmonic integer, leading tone), creating flow and resolution.
Weak progressions deviate from these criteria, adding unpredictability and tension.
How do we analyze a progression
to see how strong or weak it is?
To analyze progression strength, evaluate it based on
1) shared notes between chords,
2) pleasing harmonic integers (perfect fifths/fourths), and
3) whether the preceding chord contains the leading tone.
The more criteria met, the stronger the progression.
How many weak chords
can I add to a progression?
I use weak chords sparingly
to create tension or surprise.
Follow weak chords with strong progressions to maintain direction.
Too many weak chords in a row can make the progression feel aimless.
Experimentation is key,
but balance is crucial
depending on the musical context.
What is the key
to keeping a progression simple and catchy
in loop-based house music?
Prioritize simple progressions
like I → V → vi → IV
that are easy to loop.
Use repetition
with subtle variations
to maintain interest.
How should weak chords
be used in loop-based
house music?
Use weak chords sparingly
as surprises within the loop.
Resolve them with strong progressions
to keep the track grounded.
What role do rhythm and texture
play in loop-based house music?
Rhythm and texture take priority in house music.
Harmony often supports these elements,
allowing loops to evolve
through changes
in drums, bassline, or effects.
How can modal interchange
enhance loop-based house music?
Borrow chords from parallel modes (e.g., a minor chord in a major key) to add unexpected colors without disrupting the loop.
How should cadences be used in loop-based house music?
Use strong cadences like V → I or IV → I to mark transitions between sections, such as the drop, breakdown, or build-up.
How can layering evolve loop-based house music?
Introduce melodic or percussive layers to evolve the loop and reduce repetition.
Static harmony can stay interesting with variations in other elements.
The first criterion for a strong harmonic relationship is that chords share the same note.
Which note?
The shared note can be any note present in both chords.
It acts as a connector, smoothing the transition.
If multiple notes are shared, the relationship feels even stronger.
The root or tonal center often plays the most important role in the connection.
