Music Theory Notes 4 Flashcards
Define Secondary Dominant
A secondary dominant is a chord that temporarily acts as the dominant (V) chord of a key or chord other than the tonic. It is used to create a momentary sense of emphasis or tonicization (making another chord feel temporarily like the tonic). Secondary dominants are an important tool in tonal harmony for adding color and tension.
How to Identify a Secondary Dominant
- Look at the Target Chord:
o Identify the chord that the secondary dominant resolves to. This chord is called the tonicised chord.
o The secondary dominant resolves to this chord as if it were the tonic. - Check for a Temporary Key:
o The secondary dominant is typically a major or dominant 7th chord that is not diatonic (not naturally part of the original key). - Label the Secondary Dominant:
o The label indicates the relationship between the secondary dominant and the tonicized chord.
o For example, V/V means “the dominant of the dominant.”
Why Use Secondary Dominants?
- Add Interest: They create tension and make harmonic progressions more engaging.
- Expand Tonality: Secondary dominants introduce temporary tonicizations that add complexity and variety.
- Lead to Modulation: They can act as a stepping stone to modulate to a new key.
What is Voice Exchange?
Voice exchange is a technique in music where two voices (or parts) swap their roles or notes, typically by moving to each other’s position. This creates a smooth and natural-sounding exchange of harmonic function while maintaining a connection between the voices. It’s often used in counterpoint and voice leading to create variety and fluidity in a musical passage.
How does Voice Exchange Works?
How Voice Exchange Works
1. Two Voices Exchange Notes:
o In voice exchange, two voices move in opposite directions but exchange the notes they are singing or playing.
o For example, if one voice is playing a C and another a G, after the exchange, the first voice might play G, and the second plays C.
2. Maintains Harmonic Integrity:
o The harmony and the chord structure usually stay the same even after the exchange. The primary function of the chord doesn’t change; only the individual voices (or parts) are swapped.
________________________________________
Example of Voice Exchange
Let’s say we have two voices in a simple harmonic progression:
* First Chord: C major (C - E - G)
* Second Chord: G major (G - B - D)
Voice Exchange could happen like this:
* The first voice (C) moves to G.
* The second voice (G) moves to C.
After the exchange, we have:
* New Chord: C major (G - E - C), but now the voices have swapped positions. The harmonic function is still C major, but the voices have exchanged notes.
Where is Voice Exchange Used?
Where is Voice Exchange Used?
1. In Classical Music:
o Voice exchange is commonly found in counterpoint (like in Bach’s music), where it helps maintain smooth voice leading and adds variation to the texture.
2. In Modern Music:
o It can be used in any genre to create a smooth or surprising transition between chords or parts.
3. In Choral Music:
o It’s often used in choral arrangements where two voices or parts (like alto and tenor) exchange notes to balance the texture and create more interesting harmonies.
What are the benefits of Voice Exchange?
Benefits of Voice Exchange
1. Smooth Voice Leading:
o Voice exchange helps the voices move naturally and smoothly while preserving harmonic integrity.
2. Variety:
o It adds variety to the movement of voices by keeping the overall harmony but shifting the positions of the individual voices.
3. Increased Interest:
o It creates a sense of surprise or unpredictability, which can keep the music fresh and engaging.
________________________________________
Summary
Voice exchange is a clever technique in music where two voices swap their notes while maintaining the same harmonic structure. It’s used to add smoothness, variety, and interest to the movement of the voices, especially in counterpoint and choral writing.
