6.2 Harmonic progression
12 min read•august 20, 2024
forms the backbone of Western tonal music, shaping how chords flow and interact. It's key to creating cohesive, expressive compositions that establish a tonal center and build tension and resolution throughout a piece.
Understanding harmonic progression helps musicians craft compelling musical narratives. From basic triads to complex chromatic progressions, these chord sequences create the emotional journey of a song, guiding listeners through moments of stability, tension, and release.
Harmonic progression fundamentals
- Harmonic progression refers to the sequence of chords used in a musical composition and forms the foundation of Western tonal music
- Understanding harmonic progressions is essential for creating cohesive and expressive musical compositions and arrangements
- Harmonic progressions establish the tonal center and create a sense of tension and resolution throughout a piece
Chords in harmonic progressions
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- Chords are the building blocks of harmonic progressions and are formed by combining three or more notes played simultaneously
- Triads, consisting of a root, third, and fifth, are the most basic and commonly used chords in harmonic progressions (major, minor, diminished)
- Seventh chords, such as seventh and minor seventh chords, add additional tension and color to harmonic progressions
- Inversions of chords, where notes other than the root are in the bass, provide variety and smooth in harmonic progressions
Cadences and phrase endings
- Cadences are specific chord progressions that provide a sense of closure or resolution at the end of a musical phrase or section
- (PAC) is the most conclusive and features a dominant to progression (V-I) with both chords in root position
- (IAC) is similar to a PAC but has the tonic chord in an inversion, creating a slightly less conclusive ending
- , also known as the "Amen" , moves from the to the tonic (IV-I) and has a softer, more relaxed resolution
- ends on the dominant chord (V), creating a sense of incompleteness and anticipation for the next phrase
Tonic and dominant relationships
- The tonic chord (I) represents the home key or tonal center of a piece and provides a sense of stability and resolution
- The dominant chord (V) creates tension and a strong pull towards the tonic, making it a crucial element in establishing harmonic motion
- The dominant-tonic relationship is the most fundamental and powerful in tonal harmony, often used in cadences and key establishing moments
- The subdominant chord (IV) serves as a predominant, leading towards the dominant and helping to establish the tonic-dominant relationship
Diatonic harmonic progressions
- Diatonic harmonic progressions use chords built exclusively from notes within the prevailing key, creating a sense of unity and stability
- Diatonic chords are triads or seventh chords constructed on each degree of the major or minor scale
- Diatonic progressions often follow established patterns and conventions, such as the progression (I-IV-vii°-iii-vi-ii-V-I)
Primary chords (I, IV, V)
- The , also known as the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V), are the most essential chords in a diatonic progression
- These chords form the backbone of tonal harmony and are used to establish the key, create tension and resolution, and provide a sense of direction
- The I chord represents stability, the IV chord provides contrast and movement away from the tonic, and the V chord creates tension and a strong pull back to the tonic
- Primary chord progressions, such as I-IV-V-I or I-V-I, are common in various musical styles and form the basis for more complex harmonic structures
Secondary chords (ii, iii, vi)
- , also called auxiliary or intermediate chords, are the remaining diatonic chords built on scale degrees 2, 3, and 6
- These chords provide additional harmonic color, variety, and smooth transitions between the primary chords
- The supertonic chord (ii) often functions as a subdominant substitute, leading to the dominant chord (ii-V-I)
- The mediant chord (iii) and submediant chord (vi) can be used as substitutes for the tonic chord, creating a sense of temporary departure from the home key (I-iii-IV-I or I-vi-IV-V)
Diatonic chord progressions
- Diatonic chord progressions combine primary and secondary chords to create more interesting and varied harmonic movements within a key
- Common diatonic chord progressions include I-vi-IV-V, I-ii-V-I, and I-iii-vi-ii-V-I, each with its own unique character and emotional effect
- Diatonic progressions can be extended by using seventh chords, inversions, and substitutions, adding depth and sophistication to the harmony
- Mastering diatonic chord progressions is essential for understanding and analyzing more complex harmonic structures in tonal music
Non-diatonic harmonic progressions
- Non-diatonic harmonic progressions introduce chords from outside the prevailing key, creating a sense of tension, surprise, or emotional intensity
- These progressions can be used to temporarily depart from the established key, add harmonic color, or modulate to a new key
- Non-diatonic chords are often used strategically to enhance the overall musical narrative and create memorable moments in a composition
Secondary dominants
- are chords that temporarily tonicize a diatonic chord other than the tonic, acting as a dominant chord in relation to the target chord
- These chords are usually formed by raising the third of a diatonic chord, creating a temporary leading tone and a sense of increased tension and resolution
- Common secondary dominants include V/V (read as "five of five"), V/IV, and V/ii, each resolving to its respective target chord
- Secondary dominants add harmonic interest, variety, and a sense of movement within a diatonic progression (I-V/V-V-I or I-ii-V/V-V-I)
Borrowed chords
- , also known as modal mixture, are chords borrowed from the parallel major or minor key to add emotional depth and harmonic color
- In a major key, borrowing chords from the parallel minor can create a sense of sadness, introspection, or drama (I-bVI-bVII-I)
- In a minor key, borrowing chords from the parallel major can create a sense of brightness, hope, or resolution (i-IV-V-i)
- Commonly borrowed chords include the flat sixth (bVI), flat seventh (bVII), and major subdominant (IV) in a minor key
Chromatic chord progressions
- use chords that contain notes outside the diatonic scale, creating a sense of tension, instability, and emotional complexity
- These progressions often involve chromatic mediant relationships, where chords are related by a third and share a common tone (I-bIII-bVI-I or I-III-vi-I)
- Chromatic progressions can also include altered chords, such as augmented sixths or Neapolitan sixths, which create striking harmonic colors and tensions
- Chromatic progressions are often used in musical genres such as jazz, romantic-era classical music, and film scores to evoke strong emotions and create dramatic effects
Harmonic rhythm and pacing
- refers to the rate at which chords change within a musical passage, affecting the sense of movement, stability, and emotional intensity
- The pacing of harmonic changes can be used to create tension, release, and forward motion in a composition
- Varying the harmonic rhythm and pacing can add interest, depth, and structural clarity to a musical work
Strong vs weak beats
- In most musical meters, certain beats are perceived as stronger or more accented than others, creating a hierarchy of strong and
- Placing chord changes on (downbeats) creates a sense of stability and resolution, while placing them on weak beats creates a sense of tension and forward motion
- Harmonic rhythm often aligns with the prevailing meter, with chord changes occurring on strong beats (I-I-IV-IV-V-V-I-I in 4/4 time)
- Syncopated harmonic rhythms, where chord changes occur on weak beats or offbeats, can create a sense of excitement, anticipation, or rhythmic interest
Harmonic rhythm variations
- Varying the harmonic rhythm within a composition can create a sense of ebb and flow, highlight important structural moments, or reflect changes in the musical narrative
- Prolonging a chord or delaying a resolution can create a sense of tension, anticipation, or emotional intensity
- Accelerating the harmonic rhythm can create a sense of urgency, excitement, or instability, while slowing it down can create a sense of calm, reflection, or resolution
- Composers often use harmonic rhythm variations in conjunction with melodic, rhythmic, and textural changes to create a cohesive and expressive musical work
Pacing and forward motion
- The pacing of harmonic changes can be used to create a sense of direction, growth, and resolution in a musical composition
- Gradual harmonic movements, such as the circle of fifths progression, create a sense of smooth and inevitable forward motion
- Abrupt or unexpected harmonic changes can create a sense of surprise, tension, or emotional intensity, propelling the music forward
- Balancing stability and instability, tension and release, and predictability and surprise in the pacing of harmonic changes is essential for creating engaging and expressive music
Voice leading in harmonic progressions
- Voice leading refers to the way individual melodic lines or voices move from one chord to another in a harmonic progression
- Effective voice leading ensures smooth, logical, and aesthetically pleasing transitions between chords, enhancing the overall coherence and expressiveness of the music
- Proper voice leading techniques help to maintain the independence and integrity of each voice while creating a sense of harmony and unity
Smooth voice leading principles
- Move each voice by the smallest possible interval when transitioning between chords, preferring stepwise motion or common tones
- Avoid large leaps in individual voices, especially in the bass, as they can create a sense of disconnection or instability
- Maintain the independence of voices by avoiding parallel motion in perfect intervals (fifths and octaves), which can create a sense of blending or loss of individuality
- Strive for contrary motion between voices, especially between the bass and the upper voices, to create a sense of balance and
Common voice leading patterns
- The 7-6 suspension is a common voice leading pattern in which the seventh of a chord resolves downward by step to the sixth of the next chord, creating a sense of tension and resolution (V7-I)
- The 4-3 suspension involves the fourth of a chord resolving downward by step to the third of the next chord, often used in plagal cadences (IV-I)
- The leading tone resolves upward by step to the tonic in authentic cadences (vii°-I or V7-I), creating a strong sense of resolution and finality
- Passing tones and neighbor tones can be used to connect chords smoothly, creating a sense of melodic and harmonic continuity
Avoiding parallel fifths and octaves
- Parallel fifths and octaves occur when two voices move in the same direction by a perfect fifth or octave, creating a sense of blending or loss of independence
- To avoid parallel fifths and octaves, use contrary motion, oblique motion (one voice moves while the other stays on the same note), or have one voice leap by a third or more
- Composers may choose to use parallel fifths or octaves intentionally for a specific musical effect, such as creating a sense of power, unity, or ancient/medieval sound
- Developing an understanding of proper voice leading principles and techniques is essential for creating effective and expressive harmonic progressions
Harmonizing melodies
- Harmonizing melodies involves selecting and applying chords to support and enhance a given melodic line
- Effective harmonization requires an understanding of the melody's structure, phrasing, and emotional content, as well as knowledge of harmonic progressions and voice leading principles
- The goal of harmonization is to create a cohesive and expressive musical work that combines the melodic and harmonic elements in a meaningful and aesthetically pleasing way
Identifying chord tones
- To harmonize a melody, begin by identifying the chord tones (root, third, fifth, and seventh) in the melodic line
- Chord tones are the notes that are most stable and consonant with the underlying harmony and can help guide the choice of chords
- Non-chord tones, such as passing tones, neighbor tones, and suspensions, can be used to add melodic interest and smooth transitions between chords
- Analyzing the melodic structure and identifying chord tones helps to create a strong and logical harmonic foundation for the melody
Selecting appropriate chords
- When selecting chords to harmonize a melody, consider the key, the melodic structure, and the desired emotional effect
- Use primary chords (I, IV, V) to establish the key and create a sense of stability, and secondary chords (ii, iii, vi) to add variety and smooth transitions
- Employ non-diatonic chords, such as secondary dominants or borrowed chords, to create tension, surprise, or emotional intensity
- Consider the harmonic rhythm and pacing, ensuring that chord changes support the melodic phrasing and create a sense of forward motion
Creating accompaniments
- Once the chords have been selected, create an accompaniment that supports and enhances the melody and harmonic progression
- Accompaniment styles can range from simple block chords to more complex arpeggiated or contrapuntal patterns, depending on the musical genre and desired effect
- Use effective voice leading techniques to ensure smooth and logical transitions between chords in the accompaniment
- Consider the texture, dynamics, and rhythmic patterns of the accompaniment, ensuring that it complements and balances the melody without overpowering it
Modulation and key changes
- is the process of changing from one key to another within a musical composition, creating a sense of variety, contrast, and emotional development
- Key changes can be used to reflect changes in the musical narrative, to create a sense of tension and resolution, or to explore different tonal colors and moods
- Effective modulations require a smooth and logical transition between keys, often involving the use of common chords, pivot chords, or chromatic harmony
Common modulation techniques
- Common chord modulation involves using a chord that is common to both the original key and the new key as a pivot point for the modulation (C major to G major using the D minor chord)
- Chromatic modulation involves using chromatic chords, such as secondary dominants or altered chords, to create a smooth transition between keys (C major to E major using the B7 chord)
- Phrase modulation involves ending a phrase in the original key and beginning the next phrase in the new key, often with a direct or abrupt transition (C major to A minor)
- Sequential modulation involves moving through a series of keys by transposing a musical idea or progression by a consistent interval (C major to D major to E major)
Pivot chord modulations
- A is a chord that belongs to both the original key and the new key and serves as a bridge between the two tonalities
- To execute a pivot chord modulation, identify a chord that is common to both keys and use it as a transition point, reinterpreting its function in the new key
- For example, in a modulation from C major to G major, the D minor chord (ii in C major) can be reinterpreted as the ii chord in G major, serving as the pivot chord
- Pivot chord modulations create a sense of smoothness and continuity, as the listener's ear is gradually led from one key to another
Direct modulations
- A direct modulation, also known as a phrase modulation, involves ending a phrase in one key and beginning the next phrase in a new key without any preparation or transition
- Direct modulations create a sense of surprise, contrast, or emotional shift, as the listener is abruptly transported to a new tonal center
- For example, a piece in C major can directly modulate to A minor by ending a phrase on a C major chord and beginning the next phrase on an A minor chord
- Direct modulations are often used in musical genres such as pop, rock, and musical theater to create dramatic or unexpected key changes
Analyzing harmonic progressions
- Analyzing harmonic progressions involves identifying and interpreting the chords, key centers, and harmonic relationships within a musical composition
- Harmonic analysis helps musicians understand the structure, function, and emotional content of a piece, informing performance, interpretation, and composition
- There are several methods for analyzing harmonic progressions, each with its own set of symbols, terminology, and analytical focus
Roman numeral analysis
- uses Roman numerals (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°) to represent chords based on their scale degree and quality within a given key
- Uppercase Roman numerals (I, IV, V) denote major chords, while lowercase Roman numerals (ii, iii, vi) denote minor chords, and the diminished symbol (°) is used for diminished chords
- Inversions are indicated with figured bass symbols (I6, IV64) or by using a lowercase letter (Ib, IVc)
- Roman numeral analysis provides a clear and concise way to identify chords and their relationships within a key, making it easier to recognize common harmonic patterns and progressions
Functional harmony analysis
- focuses on the role and behavior of chords within a harmonic progression, categorizing them as tonic (T), subdominant (S), or dominant (D) functions
- Tonic function chords (I, iii, vi) provide a sense of stability and resolution, while subdominant function chords (ii, IV) create a sense of departure or movement away from the tonic
- Dominant function chords (V, vii°) create tension and a strong pull back to the tonic,
Key Terms to Review (33)
Borrowed chords: Borrowed chords are chords that are taken from a parallel key, which can create interesting harmonic variation and tension in music. They add color to chord progressions by introducing unexpected harmonies that aren't typically found in the original key, enhancing the emotional impact and depth of the music.
Cadence: A cadence is a melodic or harmonic configuration that creates a sense of resolution at the end of a musical phrase. It serves as a musical punctuation mark, signaling the closure of a thought or section, and is crucial for establishing tonal center and movement in music.
Chromatic chord progressions: Chromatic chord progressions are sequences of chords that include notes outside the prevailing key signature, typically involving the use of chromaticism to create tension and color in the music. These progressions enrich the harmonic language by introducing chords that are not diatonic to the key, leading to a more complex and expressive musical narrative. They often enhance emotional depth and provide contrast to diatonic progressions, making them an essential tool for composers and songwriters.
Circle of Fifths: The Circle of Fifths is a visual representation of the relationships between the twelve tones of the chromatic scale, their corresponding key signatures, and the associated major and minor scales. This tool helps musicians understand how keys relate to one another, facilitates modulation between keys, and supports the construction and analysis of harmonic progressions and triads.
Classical harmony: Classical harmony refers to the system of musical organization and progression established during the Classical period, roughly spanning from 1750 to 1820. It is characterized by the use of diatonic scales, functional chords, and specific rules governing chord progressions, which create a sense of tension and resolution within music. This framework allows composers to craft cohesive pieces that evoke emotional responses through carefully structured harmonic movement.
Claude Debussy: Claude Debussy was a French composer known for his innovative approach to music that broke away from traditional harmonic structures, paving the way for modern music. His unique style often incorporated whole-tone and octatonic scales, contributing to a new sound palette that emphasized color and atmosphere over conventional progression. Debussy's work fundamentally changed the way music was composed, perceived, and notated, influencing generations of composers to come.
Consonance: Consonance refers to the harmonious relationship between musical tones, typically perceived as pleasing or stable. This quality is often found in intervals, scales, harmonic progressions, and even in improvisational contexts, where certain combinations of notes create a sense of resolution and balance, enhancing the overall musical experience.
Counterpoint: Counterpoint is a compositional technique that involves the relationship between two or more independent melodies that are played simultaneously, creating harmonic and rhythmic interplay. It is fundamental to Western music, enriching harmonic progression and enhancing melodic sight-singing, as well as facilitating score analysis and interpretation.
Diatonic chord progression: A diatonic chord progression is a sequence of chords that are derived from the notes of a particular scale, typically a major or minor scale, and adhere to the harmonic rules associated with that scale. These progressions establish a sense of tonality and provide a framework for musical structure, allowing for both tension and resolution through carefully chosen chords. Understanding diatonic progressions is essential for composing and analyzing music within the context of functional harmony.
Dissonance: Dissonance refers to a combination of notes that creates a sense of tension or instability, often requiring resolution to a more stable sound. It is an essential aspect of music that can enhance emotional expression and drive harmonic progression, making it closely linked to intervals, scales, chords, and non-chord tones.
Dominant: In music, the term dominant refers to the fifth scale degree of a diatonic scale, and it plays a crucial role in establishing harmonic tension and resolution within musical compositions. The dominant chord is built on this fifth degree, creating a strong pull back to the tonic, which is the first degree of the scale. This relationship is essential in understanding chord progressions, harmonic dictation, and overall tonal structure.
Functional harmony analysis: Functional harmony analysis is a method of understanding and interpreting the role of chords within a musical context, focusing on how they function relative to a tonal center. This approach emphasizes the relationships between chords, such as tension and resolution, highlighting the movement from one chord to another in a progression. By identifying these functional roles, it becomes easier to analyze the overall structure and flow of a piece of music.
Half cadence: A half cadence is a musical phrase that ends on the dominant chord, creating a sense of pause or incompleteness. This type of cadence is often used to lead into another phrase or section, leaving the listener expecting resolution. It serves as a pivotal moment in harmonic progression, setting up tension that can be resolved in subsequent chords.
Harmonic Progression: Harmonic progression refers to a sequence of chords that create a sense of movement and direction in music. This concept is fundamental in establishing the tonal framework of a piece, guiding listeners through various emotional landscapes and key centers. It often involves the relationships between chords that are built on specific scales or modes, allowing composers to convey tension and resolution effectively.
Harmonic rhythm: Harmonic rhythm refers to the rate at which chords change in a piece of music. It influences the overall feel and movement of the music, establishing the framework for chord progressions and contributing to the emotional impact. The concept connects closely with various musical elements, such as melody and rhythm, and is crucial in creating harmonic progression and setting the mood for improvisation.
Imperfect authentic cadence: An imperfect authentic cadence is a type of harmonic resolution that occurs when a dominant chord (V) resolves to a tonic chord (I), but with one or both of the chords being in an inversion. This creates a less definitive conclusion than a perfect authentic cadence, often leaving the listener with a sense of anticipation rather than closure.
Jazz harmony: Jazz harmony refers to the system of chords and progressions used in jazz music, characterized by its use of extended chords, complex chord changes, and rich voicings. It often emphasizes seventh chords and altered tones, creating a distinct sound that differs from traditional Western harmony. This unique approach to harmony is essential in creating the improvisational and expressive qualities that define jazz.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period, known for his mastery in counterpoint, harmonic organization, and the development of musical forms. His works remain a cornerstone of classical music and have deeply influenced various aspects of music theory and practice, including pitch notation, harmonic progression, and compositional techniques.
Modulation: Modulation is the process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music, which can create contrast, excitement, and emotional depth. This shift in tonality can enhance chord progressions by adding variety and can also play a crucial role in harmonic progression. Modulation is often facilitated by secondary dominants, which serve as temporary dominant chords leading into the new key, making transitions smoother. Additionally, understanding modulation helps with transposition, allowing musicians to shift music into different keys effectively, and supports harmonic improvisation by providing a framework for creating melodies that move between keys.
Perfect Authentic Cadence: A perfect authentic cadence is a harmonic progression that consists of a dominant chord resolving to a tonic chord, specifically V to I, where both chords are in root position and the tonic note is the highest pitch in the final chord. This type of cadence creates a strong sense of resolution and closure in music, marking the end of a phrase or section. It’s essential in establishing tonal stability and is one of the most conclusive ways to end a musical idea.
Pivot chord: A pivot chord is a chord that is used to transition smoothly between two different keys, serving as a common element that exists in both the original key and the target key. This technique is essential in harmonic progression as it allows composers to modulate without abrupt changes, creating a more seamless flow in music. By using pivot chords, musicians can enhance the expressiveness of their compositions and create rich, dynamic harmonic landscapes.
Plagal Cadence: A plagal cadence is a harmonic progression that typically moves from the subdominant chord (IV) to the tonic chord (I), creating a sense of resolution. This cadence is often referred to as the 'Amen' cadence because it is commonly found at the end of hymns and sacred music. Understanding this concept helps in recognizing how it contrasts with other cadences and contributes to the overall harmonic structure of a piece.
Primary Chords: Primary chords are the three most important chords in a key, typically built on the first, fourth, and fifth degrees of the scale. These chords are fundamental in establishing tonality and are often used to create harmonic progressions that form the backbone of many musical pieces. They create a sense of resolution and stability, making them essential for both composition and analysis.
Roman Numeral Analysis: Roman numeral analysis is a system of labeling chords in a piece of music using Roman numerals to indicate their function within a key. This method provides insight into harmonic relationships and helps musicians understand the structure and progression of chords, particularly in terms of triads and their inversions as well as overall harmonic movement.
Secondary chords: Secondary chords are chords that function as the dominant (V) of a chord other than the tonic in a given key. They create temporary resolutions that lead to non-tonic chords, enhancing harmonic progression by adding interest and movement within a piece of music. Secondary chords allow composers to establish brief tonal centers, creating a richer texture in harmonic progressions.
Secondary dominants: Secondary dominants are chords that function as a dominant (V) to a chord other than the tonic in a given key, creating tension and leading to temporary resolutions. They enhance harmonic progression by introducing new tonalities and allowing for a greater sense of movement within a piece. This concept is crucial for understanding how composers expand their harmonic vocabulary and create richer musical textures.
Seventh Chord: A seventh chord is a type of chord that consists of a root note, a third, a fifth, and an additional note that is a seventh above the root. This added seventh creates a richer, more complex sound and can lead to different emotional qualities in music. Understanding seventh chords is essential for recognizing harmonic dictation and harmonic progression, as they often serve as pivotal points in musical structures.
Strong beats: Strong beats are the beats in a musical measure that receive the most emphasis, creating a sense of stability and direction within the rhythm. These beats typically align with the underlying harmonic progression, helping to establish the structure and flow of the music. Recognizing strong beats is crucial for understanding meter and how melodies and harmonies interact in a piece.
Subdominant: The subdominant is the fourth scale degree in a diatonic scale and serves as an important harmonic function, typically providing a sense of movement away from the tonic while creating tension that leads back to it. This term is crucial in understanding chord relationships and progressions, as the subdominant chord plays a significant role in shaping the musical landscape by preparing for the dominant and returning to the tonic.
Tonic: The tonic is the first note of a scale and serves as the home base or central pitch around which the other notes in the scale revolve. It establishes the tonal center, providing a sense of resolution and stability in music, and is crucial for understanding scales, harmonies, and chord progressions.
Triad: A triad is a three-note chord built by stacking two intervals of a third on top of each other, typically consisting of the root, third, and fifth degrees of a scale. Triads are fundamental building blocks in harmony and play a crucial role in chord quality identification and harmonic progression, as they can be major, minor, diminished, or augmented based on the specific intervals between the notes.
Voice Leading: Voice leading is the practice of composing music in a way that ensures smooth and logical movement from one chord to another by focusing on how individual melodic lines or 'voices' transition between notes. This technique is crucial for creating harmonic progressions that are pleasing to the ear, ensuring that intervals between successive notes are handled with care to maintain clarity and coherence in the musical texture.
Weak beats: Weak beats refer to the less emphasized or less stressed beats in a musical measure, often creating a sense of tension or anticipation. In the context of rhythmic patterns, weak beats contribute to the overall flow and feel of music, allowing for syncopation and dynamic interplay with strong beats, which are typically more accented. Understanding weak beats is crucial for grasping how harmonic progression unfolds in a piece, as they often act as pivot points leading into stronger resolutions.