Chromatic Mediants

Definition

Chromatic mediants are chords that are a third apart and have at least one common tone, but differ in their root note by a chromatic alteration. This concept is a key feature of advanced harmony techniques, allowing composers to create unexpected harmonic progressions and rich emotional textures in their music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chromatic mediants can be found in various musical genres, including classical, jazz, and popular music, showcasing their versatility in different harmonic contexts.
2. The relationship between chromatic mediants often creates surprising harmonic shifts, enhancing the emotional impact of a progression and leading to unique resolutions.
3. Chromatic mediants are frequently used in modulation, allowing composers to pivot smoothly between keys while maintaining a cohesive sound.
4. They typically appear as major or minor chords related to the tonic chord, with alterations that add color and depth to harmonic progressions.
5. Famous composers like Debussy and Wagner utilized chromatic mediants extensively, pushing the boundaries of traditional harmony and expanding expressive possibilities.

Review Questions

• How do chromatic mediants differ from traditional diatonic chords in terms of their relationship and function within harmonic progressions?
  • Chromatic mediants differ from traditional diatonic chords primarily in that they are not strictly derived from the same scale as the tonic or related keys. While diatonic chords follow a more predictable pattern based on the major or minor scale, chromatic mediants introduce chromatic alterations that create unexpected shifts in harmony. This flexibility allows composers to expand their harmonic vocabulary and add richness to their musical narratives.
• Discuss the role of chromatic mediants in creating emotional tension and resolution in music. How can they enhance a piece's overall impact?
  • Chromatic mediants play a crucial role in creating emotional tension and resolution by introducing surprising harmonic shifts that can evoke strong feelings in the listener. Their unique quality allows composers to build suspense before resolving back to more stable chords. By strategically placing chromatic mediants within a progression, musicians can craft moments of heightened emotion, leading to powerful resolutions that resonate deeply with the audience.
• Evaluate the use of chromatic mediants by specific composers. How did they innovate with this technique to redefine harmony in their compositions?
  • Composers like Debussy and Wagner innovated with chromatic mediants by incorporating them into their works to challenge conventional harmony and explore new expressive avenues. For instance, Debussy’s use of chromatic mediants helped establish impressionistic music characterized by fluidity and color. Wagner's application of these harmonies created dramatic shifts that intensified emotional narratives within his operas. Their groundbreaking approaches showcased how chromatic mediants could redefine the role of harmony in composition, ultimately influencing countless musicians who followed.

Related terms

Mediant: A mediant is the third scale degree of a diatonic scale and can also refer to chords built on this degree, typically a major or minor triad.

Modulation:

Modulation is the process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music, often enhancing the emotional effect and complexity of the harmonic structure.

Tertian Harmony: Tertian harmony is built on intervals of thirds, forming triads and seventh chords, which are foundational in Western music theory.