I-V4/3-I6 chord progression

Definition

The I-V4/3-I6 chord progression is a harmonic sequence that typically occurs in tonal music, involving the tonic (I), a first inversion of the dominant (V4/3), and a second inversion of the tonic (I6). This progression creates smooth voice leading and allows for effective resolution from tension to stability, showcasing an important aspect of how chords function in relation to each other.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the I-V4/3-I6 progression, the V4/3 chord serves as a dominant preparation, leading smoothly into the tonic I6.
2. The use of inversions in this progression enhances voice leading by minimizing large leaps between chords, creating a smoother transition.
3. The I6 chord is often used as a way to reinforce the sense of tonic at the end of the progression, especially in cadences.
4. This progression is frequently employed in classical music to establish tonality and can also be found in various popular music styles.
5. When writing this progression, it's important to ensure that the common tones between chords are retained in the voices for smooth transitions.

Review Questions

• How does the I-V4/3-I6 chord progression illustrate principles of voice leading?
  • The I-V4/3-I6 chord progression effectively demonstrates voice leading by allowing each voice to move stepwise or remain stationary, which creates smooth transitions between chords. In this progression, the bass voice moves from the tonic to a first inversion dominant chord, which introduces only minimal motion. The final resolution to the tonic in second inversion ensures that important tones are retained across chords, maintaining coherence in melodic lines.
• Discuss the significance of using inversions like V4/3 and I6 within the I-V4/3-I6 progression.
  • The use of inversions such as V4/3 and I6 within this progression adds depth to harmonic texture and promotes smoother voice leading. The V4/3 chord places the fifth of the dominant in the bass, allowing for strong preparation towards the tonic. Meanwhile, I6 emphasizes stability by placing a note other than the root in the bass position, making it easier to connect back to the I chord while also enriching the overall sound.
• Evaluate how the I-V4/3-I6 progression contributes to functional harmony in tonal music.
  • The I-V4/3-I6 progression plays a crucial role in establishing functional harmony by highlighting relationships between chords that create tension and resolution. The dominant function of V leads naturally back to I, and the use of inversions helps maintain a clear tonal center throughout. This not only reinforces the key but also prepares listeners for cadential resolutions, showcasing how progressions can build emotional narrative within compositions.

Related terms

Voice Leading:

The practice of moving individual melodic lines, or voices, smoothly from one note to another while maintaining harmony.

Inversion:

A rearrangement of the notes in a chord so that a note other than the root is in the bass position.

Functional Harmony: A system of understanding how chords function within a key, based on their relationships and roles in creating tension and resolution.