Questions tagged [harmony]
For questions about the "vertical" aspects of music and how to build and study them.
1,256
questions
2
votes
2
answers
45
views
Secondary leading tone chords that do not resolve
I'm trying to analyse the harmony of a piece I've been given and I'm having trouble rationalising its use of non-diatonic chords.
For context, I figured I should show the chord progression of a phrase ...
- 21
3
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why do some sheet-music arrangements harmonize anticipation notes?
Throughout this arrangement from the song "Don't look back in anger" by the band "Oasis" the arranger seems to harmonize the anticipated melody note as shown in green. But the ...
- 9,535
-1
votes
0
answers
114
views
Is the key change in "Ti Sento" an editing hack job?
I don't understand what's happening at around 1'19" in the single version of "Ti Sento" by Matia Bazar from 1985. There seems to be a key change, but the singer goes on singing in the ...
2
votes
0
answers
43
views
Roman numeral analysis: how to notate tonic root anticipation / triple suspension V7 I742 I?
Sometimes in a cadence between V7 and I there's a moment when an anticipated tonic root in the bass given on top of suspended 7^2^4^ from the V7 (triple suspension?). Two examples:
Beethoven op 10 no ...
5
votes
3
answers
563
views
A minor scale definition: am I missing something?
I've recently had a discussion with a woman, let's call her Jane, who maintained that the A minor scale features G# rather than a natural G. According to her, the scale goes A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A. ...
- 163
3
votes
1
answer
603
views
Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 (1st movement) Tempo I - Bar 86 - why D not D flat?
In Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 (1st movement) Tempo I - Bar 86 -
Red box shows a D.
Green box shows a D.
Blue box shows a D flat.
My question is that what is the logic / why the Green box is ...
- 791
1
vote
1
answer
59
views
Unusual chord progression: I7-VIImaj7 (#VIImaj7 ?)
So I came up with this little tune that roughly follows the standard 12-bar blues form but it substitutes the subdominant (IV7 chord) with VIImaj7. It sounds unusual but quite smooth and not jarring ...
- 1,074
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why does a harmony part work well for one instrument, but doesn't for another?
I harmonized a short melody using block string chords. I used voice leading technique so the notes progress at stepwise motion. It sounds good. But it doesn’t sound good when I give the melody to ...
- 107
6
votes
4
answers
456
views
Lydian harmony: What chords are tonic (T), subdominant (S), and dominant (D)?
The Lydian mode is the brightest-sounding mode and I am interested in how to utilize it.
Diatonic chords in Lydian = I, II, iii, ivø, V, vi, vii
What chords are tonic, subdominant, and dominant, in ...
user92536
2
votes
3
answers
144
views
How can a descending chromatic scale be harmonized while staying in the key?
It's possible to harmonize a descending chromatic scale with consecutive dominant 7ths(the most common way), but that goes down the circle of fifths and takes the piece to a distant key. Is there any ...
- 1,597
2
votes
1
answer
89
views
What purpose does the third measure of Bach's 'toccata and fugue in d minor' serve?
I'm looking for an explanation on the effect and reasoning of Bach's choices in the third measure of 'toccata and fugue in d minor'. I can only presume its a cadence to resolve the chord built in the ...
- 23
1
vote
2
answers
80
views
Identifying a chord with seeming multiple suspended notes
I cannot figure out what would be the name for the chord containing these notes:
D,E,G in the key of C Major.
Also, does a sus2/4 exist. For example, Csus2/4 being C,D,F,G?
To make things clearer ...
...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
80
views
Are non-tonic or dominant pedal points still effective?
Pedal points are usually over scale degree 1 or 5, the former to seal the tonic in the listener's mind, and the latter to generate more tension than most other techniques in music.
It seems that there ...
- 1,597
3
votes
5
answers
161
views
Is there such thing as a secondary dominant (or 2-5) of the 7th degree?
Specially in jazz, it is common to approach a chord that is not the root by its diatonic 2-5, or simply its 5 (secondary dominant). When approaching a minor, it will be a ii7b5 - V7, and, in major, a ...
- 131
0
votes
1
answer
112
views
How do voice leading chords work in practice?
I've learned the existence of voice leading chords; passing chords, anticipation chords, and such, but I'm having a hard time understanding them. I know they need to have a so-called "voice ...
- 1,597
3
votes
1
answer
412
views
Do composers arrange an entire score without parallel perfect intervals or is this only when you have few voices and need them to all be independent?
In harmony class one is taught not to use parallel perfect intervals as it undermines the independence of the voices. I have come to completely understand this and see why it is so important but when ...
- 9,535
1
vote
0
answers
68
views
What are the acceptable ways to traditionally resolve dissonance?
This is a follow up to my previous question, about a seemingly unresolved "suspension" in Bach's Prelude in C major, bar 21:
In the next bar, it resolves to this chord:
If we block the ...
- 1,597
5
votes
5
answers
620
views
Bach prelude in C major: unresolved suspension?
I know that in the common practice style, even in free composition where guidelines don't apply strictly, a dissonant suspension must resolve. In the WTC 1 prelude in C major, bar 20 is a C dominant ...
- 1,597
1
vote
2
answers
88
views
A-Minor songs Reharmonization Using circle of fifths
I am learning to play songs by ear. Based on the circle of fifths, one may harmonize C major with the chords C, F, G and Am. Similarly, will it work to harmonize A minor with the chords Am, Dm, Em, ...
- 309
10
votes
4
answers
711
views
Why is f natural used in m. 8 of J.S. Bach's Sinfonia in C Major (BWV 787)?
This is an excerpt of the Sinfonia Nr. 1 in C major by J.S. Bach.
I thought this were a "clean" modulation to G major, but to my surprise, Bach uses an f natural in the lower voice of m. 8.
...
- 485
14
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is there music where it makes no sense to talk about a tonic?
Is there music without a tonic?
I.e., the structure of which is such that it makes no sense to talk about some stable home base note where we return. Or maybe music tonality changes so frequent that ...
- 241
10
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Why does the iii chord seem to be usually avoided in many styles?
Chord iii in major key is often avoided. This transcends specific styles. Popular music almost never uses chord iii, classical music usually shies away from it even with its large harmonic potential, ...
- 1,597
5
votes
3
answers
245
views
Can someone explain why this spacing is preferred for III-VI progression
I was studying from walter piston's harmony and came across this. Can someone explain why the first progression is unusual while the second one is preferred?
- 61
3
votes
2
answers
85
views
Stuck with figured bass notation for inverted 7th chord
My apologies for the "name this chord" question, but i'm stuck trying to identify this harmony.
The figured bass notation indicates to me that the bass note should be the seventh of a 7 ...
- 1,148
2
votes
1
answer
58
views
Can anyone help me understand F#ø7 - F7 - Asus - AM7 - D7 - Em?
I'm trying to understand what's going on in this small piece written for Genshin Impact game, the song's name is "Pure Sky" is about 1min long and you can listen to it here (the part I'm ...
- 83
5
votes
3
answers
447
views
Usage of augmented fourth in minor key: what is the diatonic function?
The piece Für Elise uses a D♯ in the key of A minor in the first bar, which is an augmented fourth above the tonic of A. (I'm focusing on the first part, up to halfway through bar 23 in this score.) D♯...
- 503
4
votes
3
answers
277
views
How is modulation to the dominant achieved?
In any key, there are two adjacent keys to work with; The subdominant and the dominant. Let's assume that we are in a major key. Modulation to the subdominant is easy. The leading tone is a vital part ...
- 1,597
2
votes
3
answers
121
views
Analysis of Tarrega's Serenata Espanola
I am an amateur and try to explore the arrangement of the past Masters. Great forum. I learn a lot from all of you. Thanks you.
At MEASURE 10, the chord should be E major as the key of the piece is A ...
- 29
1
vote
4
answers
126
views
What chords are considered acceptable as passing chords in common-practice-period tonal voice leading?
I want to move from an FMaj to an Fmaj(6) chord. Putting a passing chord in between, a CMaj(3/4)(A second inversion dominant 7th) chord seems to work nicely. But these chords, at least in the common-...
- 1,597
4
votes
3
answers
868
views
Opening of Bach's mass in b minor: why does it make sense?
The opening harmonic progression of the B minor mass:
Bm moves to a C# half-diminished 7th — a ii7 chord, nothing unusual yet. To put it in root position is a bit unconventional for the style, but the ...
- 1,597
1
vote
1
answer
38
views
Can you explain why they have (in bar 7) a fifth interval moving in similar motion in this hymn arrangement?
When we study part-writing we often hear about how a two notes making up a fifth should not move in the same direction. I've been told not to do it, but I see professionals hymn arrangements breaking ...
- 348
3
votes
5
answers
140
views
Harmony: why does transforming a ii minor chord into II major chord work?
I accidentally composed a song that uses the same harmony "trick" as the song The Odyssey from Symphony X. Both are in the key of Eb (I know it's C minor, but I like to think major for ...
- 276
7
votes
2
answers
337
views
Harmonic and Inharmonic overtones
What is the difference between harmonic and inharmonic overtones? What are their uses in sound design ?
- 71
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
Harmonic accuracy check [closed]
I would like a harmonic accuracy check for a variation that I composed based on a section of the first movement of Brahms's Violin Concerto. I am concerned with whether or not the notes of Bars 18 - ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
76
views
What are these two right-hand chords in Schubert's Piano Sonata No 20 D 959?
I am not quite understanding the chord progression and the chord harmonies of the following two beats marked in the red rectangle.
Especially two right-hand chords. They sound very inharmony and ...
- 791
1
vote
1
answer
113
views
Is Pink Panther Theme ALL in Em key? [closed]
referring to this question, it was determined that Pink Panther theme is actually in Em, but I was wondering if the key could be considered Em even when the theme varies (Consider this video from ...
- 111
4
votes
3
answers
137
views
Is there another name for a suspension that creates a chord in the given key?
Here's a progression of a German 6th chord to V in C minor:
But that creates parallel perfect fifths between the alto and bass(Ab-G, Eb-D). Since I'm lazy, instead of fixing that, I cover it up with ...
- 1,597
7
votes
1
answer
128
views
Can't understand meaning behind this sentence in Schoenbergs Theory of Harmony
Hello, the current topic is minor mode. Why can only II degree follow major IV in minor scale? Can't quite figure this one out.
- 73
1
vote
5
answers
192
views
Ambiguity of Roman numeral analysis of Andalusian cadence
When I write that the Andalusian cadence is the chord progression "Am – G – F – E" then there are no doubts in what it means. (All you need to know is what chords are and how they are named)
...
- 153
2
votes
1
answer
113
views
Does the traditional rule regarding parallel octaves and fifths apply if they are not rhythmically aligned?
In polyphonic writing, you aren't supposed to use parallel octaves or fifths, but does that apply to, say, this situation(inner voices are not yet filled in for the second shown bar):
Where there are ...
- 1,597
4
votes
3
answers
505
views
What is it called when the main melody is playing in a different time signature from the harmony?
For example, in the Phantasy Star Online Intro song, the main melody starts to play in 3/4 time, whereas the overall song (and the harmony) remains playing in 4/4 time. (starts after 10 seconds, at ...
- 253
0
votes
2
answers
43
views
What dominant chord is built on raised 7 in minor with ^3 in the soprano?
In root position a B7 chord in the key of E minor would be B,D#,F#,A and be made up of scale degrees ^5 ^#7 ^2 and ^4. So in 1st inversion the bass would be D#. If I was to add ^3 as a soprano note ...
- 9,535
8
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How can I prevent a 4-part harmony from sounding muddy?
This is my 4-part harmony version of the first two phrases of the traditional song "Angels we have Heard on High".
When I play it back, it sounds very thick and muddy, which is not what I ...
- 1,597
7
votes
7
answers
1k
views
Do People and/or Robots Speak on Pitch and in Harmony with themselves?
I asked this in Linguistics, but apparently nobody there wants to venture an answer; maybe this is a better place to ask it.
My ear is not good enough to tell via observation whether people speak in ...
0
votes
3
answers
143
views
Term for minor harmony with both major and minor sixths applied
In my bar piano arrangement of the song "Georgia On My Mind" (pub. Schott), in the first measure, half beat, there is an interval of a diminished octave in the left hand: G# and G ...
- 83
4
votes
5
answers
654
views
Next step on music theory as a guitar player
I've been playing the guitar as a hobby since 2013 and have been gradually gaining familiarity with it by playing all kinds of songs.
At first, I simply tried to remember the fingerings by reading ...
- 43
9
votes
3
answers
685
views
How would you identify the root of a non-standard chord / cluster?
What are some ways to identify the root of a chord? I know Hindemith has a treatise on this, but are there any other convincing ones?
For instance, what would be the root of these chords?
FBC
CDE
BCD
...
4
votes
2
answers
116
views
Interpretation of Dominant IV7 chord moving to I64 -> V(7) -> I
I need your help to figure out how to interpret a Dominant IV7 chord in major moving to I64, like:
I -> IV -> IVDom7 -> I64 -> V -> I
or
I -> ii6 -> IVDom7 -> I64 -> V -&...
- 43
3
votes
3
answers
384
views
Pieces or parts of pieces containing only harmony?
I am listening to some pieces where the whole composition or some internal parts seem to contain only harmony/chords without producing a discernible melody. Is this some particular technique or we can ...
- 111
6
votes
6
answers
690
views
Does anyone have tips or tricks for remembering the function of mode harmony?
When I mean by that, I understand how the 7 modes are constructed:
Ionian: Major scale with no alterations
Dorian: natural minor scale with 1 alteration: #6
Phrygian: natural minor scale with 1 ...
- 63