Vii°7

Definition

The vii°7 chord is a fully diminished seventh chord built on the leading tone of the scale. This chord consists of four notes: the root, minor third, diminished fifth, and diminished seventh, creating a tense and dissonant sound. In music theory, it serves as a secondary leading tone chord that leads to a tonic chord, often enhancing harmonic progressions and adding depth to compositions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The vii°7 chord is commonly found in harmonic progressions leading to the I or tonic chord, creating strong resolutions.
2. This chord typically appears as vii°7 in major keys and vii°7/ii in minor keys when leading to the ii chord.
3. In part writing, it's important to resolve the diminished seventh properly to maintain smooth voice leading and avoid parallel octaves.
4. The vii°7 can be approached by various means, including stepwise motion or as part of a sequence, which adds tension before resolution.
5. In addition to its resolution to tonic chords, the vii°7 can also lead to other harmonies like vi or iii, allowing for varied harmonic movement.

Review Questions

• How does the vii°7 chord function within a harmonic progression?
  • The vii°7 chord functions as a leading tone that creates tension and anticipation for the resolution to the tonic chord. When it appears in a progression, it often leads directly to I or ii in major or minor keys respectively. This characteristic enhances harmonic interest and can heighten emotional impact within a piece.
• What are the voice-leading considerations when writing for the vii°7 chord?
  • When writing for the vii°7 chord, it's crucial to ensure proper voice leading to maintain clarity and smooth transitions between chords. Each note of the vii°7 should resolve downwards by step: the root moves down to the tonic, the diminished fifth often moves down by half step, and the diminished seventh resolves down by step as well. Avoiding parallel octaves between voices is also essential for effective part writing.
• Discuss the relationship between vii°7 and other dominant functions in harmonic contexts.
  • The vii°7 chord shares a strong relationship with other dominant functions, such as secondary dominants. Like these chords, it creates tension and prepares for resolutions. However, while secondary dominants typically resolve to diatonic chords other than tonic, vii°7 specifically leads towards tonic resolutions. Its unique diminished quality gives it distinct tension that enhances musical progression and can also facilitate modulations or create chromatic movement in compositions.

Related terms

Diminished Seventh Chord: A diminished seventh chord is formed by stacking minor thirds on top of each other, creating a dissonant sound that resolves typically to a tonic or dominant chord.

Leading Tone:

The leading tone is the seventh scale degree in a diatonic scale that resolves up to the tonic note, creating tension and expectation in music.

Secondary Dominant: A secondary dominant is a dominant chord that resolves to a diatonic chord other than the tonic, functioning to temporarily tonicize that chord within the harmonic progression.