Music Theory Flashcards
Normal spacing definition (C)
C - Unison D - Major 2nd E - Major 2nd F - Perfect 4th G - Perfect 5th A - Major 6th B - Major 7th
Flat interval spacing definition (C)
Db - Min 2nd Eb - Min 3rd Fb - Dim 3rd Gb - Dim 3rd Ab - Min 6th Bb - Min 7th
Sharp interval spacing definition (C)
D# - Aug 2nd E# - Aug 3r F# - Aug 4th G# - Aug 5th A# - Aug 6th B# - Aug 7th
How are minor and diminished intervals represented?
With a flat ‘b’ symbol followed by the interval
i.e minor third = b3
diminished 5th = #5
What is the chord order for triads?
I = Major II = Minor III = Minor IV = Major V - Major IV = Minor VII - Minor/ Diminished
What is the triad spacing definition for chord types?
Major = 1 3 5 Augmented = 1 3 #5 Minor = 1 b3 5 Diminished = 1 b3 b5 Sus 2 = 1 2 5 Sus 4= 1 4 5
What is the chord order for tetrachords?
I = Major 7 II = Minor 7 III = Minor 7 IV = Major 7 V = Dominant 7 VI = Minor 7 VII = Minor 7 / Half diminished
Diatonic tetrachord spacings?
Major7 = 1 3 5 7
Minor7 = 1 b3 5 b7
Dominant7 = 1 3 5 b7
Minor7 (b5) = 1 b3 b5 b7
Alternative tetrachord spacings?
Major 6 = 1 3 5 6
Major 7 (b5) - 1 3 b5 7
Major 7 (#5) - 1 3 #5 7
What are chord inversions, and how are they constructed from a C7 chord?
C major = C E G B
C maj 7/ E = E G B C
C maj 7/G = G B C E
C maj 7/ B = B C E G
Which chords are Tonics?
I
III
VI
What chords are subdominant?
II
IV
What chords are dominant?
V
What is the definition of dominant chords?
They are unstable and commonly require an immediate resolution.
What is a perfect/ authentic/ cadence or resolution
V - I
What is a plagal cadence/ resolution
IV to I
What is an interrupted cadence/ resolution
V to anything else
What is an imperfect cadence
Anything to V
What are chord extensions
Extending 7th chords in 3rds without repetitions
1 3 5 7 9 11 13
What are chord tones
1 3 5 7
What are chord tensions
9 11 13
What are secondary dominant chords
Borrowed chords from the key that you are trying to resolve or move to.
They use they ket of the target chord to find the notes of the secondary dominant.
Which tensions can be used in secondary dominants?
9
b9
b 13
What do secondary dominants resolve up to?
They resolve up a perfect 4th to a diatonic chord
How are secondary dominant chords written (C)
V7/ II = (A7 in key of C)
V7/ III = (B7 in key of C)
V7/ IV = (C7 in key of C)
and so on
What are extended (sequential) dominant chords?
They are chords that move up in 4ths, dominant chords with roots that are diatonic. Only the first and last chords need to be analysed.
What are substitute dominant chords?
They are dominant chords with roots that are diatonic and resolve a half step down.
How are substitute dominant chords written (C)
Sub v7 = (Db7 in key of C major)
Sub V7/ II = (Eb7 in key of C major)
Sub V7/ IV = (Gb7 in key of C major)
and so on
What are the natural minor diatonic tetrachords chords?
I min7 II min7 (b5) bIII Maj7 IV min7 V min7 bVI Maj7 BVII 7
What are the harmonic minor diatonic tetrachords?
I min (maj7) II min7(b5) bIII +Maj7 IV min7 V7 Dominant bVI Maj7 VII dim7
What are the ascending (jazz) minor diatonic tetrachords?
I min(Maj7) II min7 bIII Maj7 IV7 V7 VI min7(b5) VII min7 (b5)
What are the alternative diatonic scales?
Ionian
Dorian
Phyrigian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aoelian
Locrian
What is the Ionian scale
The same as the major scale
What is the dorian scale
The 3rd and 7th move down a semitone
What is the Phrygian scale
The 2nd 3rd 6th and 7th move down a semitone
What is the Lydian scale
The 4th moves up a semintone
What is the mixolydian scale
The 7th moves down a semitone
What is a modulation?
When songs move from one key or tonal centre to another for a section e.g a bridge or longer passage
What is modal interchange?
When songs incorporate shorter passages where chords are borrowed from another key
What are diminished structures commonly seen as?
Passing chords, and may also have an auxiliary function i
