Schumann - Harmony

Question 1

What is tonal harmony?

Answer 1

Music that is constructed by using notes from the standard major and minor keys (scales).

Question 2

What is functional harmony?

Answer 2

Chords that that are used in standard progressions that lead towards a cadential goal.

Question 3

What is a cadence?

Answer 3

2 consecutive chords that conclude a musical phrase. There are 4 types: perfect (closed); pagal (closed); imperfect (open); and interrupted (open).

Question 4

Describe the overall nature of the harmony Schumann uses in the trio.

Answer 4

The harmony is predominantly tonal and diatonic, using functional progressions.

Question 5

What is a root positioned chord?

Answer 5

When the triad chord is stacked up in its original order, e.g. a C triad (CEG) would have C as the lowest pitched note.

Question 6

What is a 1st inversion positioned chord?

Answer 6

When the triad chord is stacked up so that the middle note of the triad in its original order is placed at the bottom of the chord as the lowest pitched note in the texture, e.g. a C triad (CEG) in first inversion position would have E as the lowest pitched note.

Question 7

What is a 2nd inversion positioned chord?

Answer 7

When the triad chord is stacked up so that the top note of the triad in its original order is placed at the bottom of the chord as the lowest pitched note in the texture, e.g. a C triad (CEG) in second inversion position would have G as the lowest pitched note.

Question 8

Describe the typical types of chords used by Schumann in the trio.

Answer 8

Major and minor chords, mostly in root position and first inversion, are used as the basis for the harmonic style.

Question 9

How frequent are there cadence points in the trio?

Answer 9

There are frequent cadence points. Traditional progressions such as perfect cadences (bars 84–85) and Ic–V–I (21– 22) are used.

Question 10

What is “chromatic” harmony?

Answer 10

Chords that contain notes that are not within the scale/key the piece is using.

Question 11

Why did Schumann use some chromatic harmony in the trio?

Answer 11

Chromatic harmony is one of the key developments/changes in the Romantic period(1810-1910), compared to the preceding Classical style (1750-1810).

Question 12

What is a “diminished seventh” chord?

Answer 12

A chord built up of minor 3rd intervals (i.e. the distance between each note is a minor 3rd). A diminished 7th has a distinctly anxious and dramatic quality/sound.

Question 13

What types of chromatic chords does Schumann use?

Answer 13

Diminished 7ths, augmented 6ths, chords with a dissonant extension (e.g. 9ths), suspensions within chords.

Question 14

What is a suspension?

Answer 14

When one of the 3 notes of the triad chord is delayed (suspended). Creates a really emotional sound. There are 3 main types: 4-3; 7-6; and 9-8.

Question 15

Where does Schumann use diminished 7th chords?

Answer 15

Diminished seventh chords – often used as a substitute chord for V7 (bars 110–11, 114–115)

Question 16

In what context does Schumann often use the “augmented 6th” chord?

Answer 16

Augmented sixth chords – usually used to approach chord V or Ic (bars 113– 121, 1483–1491)

Question 17

Give an example of Schumann using an extended chord.

Answer 17

The chord at bar 83 has elements of a dominant minor ninth

Question 18

Where does Schumann use suspensions in the harmonic texture?

Answer 18

Suspensions are plentiful throughout, good examples are a 7–6 suspension in bar 129 and a 4–3 suspension in bar 143.

Question 19

What is the technical term for the chord that is the dominant of the key the music will be modulating to (i.e. the next key along)?

Answer 19

Secondary dominant.

Question 20

If I was in the key of Bb Major and was going to modulate to the dominant (F major), what would be the “secondary dominant” chord I would use in the music?

Answer 20

C chord (as that is the dominant chord of F major, the key the music is approaching).

Question 21

Why does Schumann use secondary dominant chords?

Answer 21

To make modulation smoother, for example: at bar 403 a C major chord (V of V) eases the line to the dominant (F).

Question 22

What is a “cycle of fifths” progression?

Answer 22

When the music does a progression of modulations that are 5 notes away each time.

Question 23

Give an example of Schumann using a cycle of 5ths progression.

Answer 23

Bars 139–143.

Question 24

What effect does the cycle of 5ths have?

Answer 24

It gives drive and passion to the music.

Question 25

Why does bar 17-20 sound like it is from the Romantic era?

Answer 25

It contains progressions that follow a chromatic bass line downwards, using parallel triadic movement (bars 17–20)