musical elements: harmony

Question 1

define harmony

Answer 1

the chords used in music

Question 2

what are the primary chords?

Answer 2

chords I, IV, V in a major or minor key

Question 3

what are the secondary chords?

Answer 3

chords II, III, VI in a major or minor key

Question 4

define inversion

Answer 4

playing a note other than the root at the bottom of a chord

Question 5

define diatonic

Answer 5

harmony built on the notes of the major and minor scales

Question 6

define a triad

Answer 6

a chord of three notes. e.g. , C - E - G is the C major triad

Question 7

define tonic

Answer 7

triad built on the first degree of the scale

Question 8

define subdominant

Answer 8

triad built on the fourth degree of the scale

Question 9

define dominant 7th

Answer 9

major triad built on the fifth note of the scale, with the additional 7th note on the root

Question 10

define perfect cadence

Answer 10

cadence of V-I, sounds finished

Question 11

define imperfect cadence

Answer 11

cadence of any chord (often I) to V, sounds unfinished

Question 12

define plagal cadence

Answer 12

cadence of IV-I, (“Amen” cadence), a gentle finish

Question 13

define interrupted cadence

Answer 13

cadence of usually V-VI, sounds unexpected

Question 14

define chord progression

Answer 14

series of chords following each other, often outlining a particular key

Question 15

define harmonic rhythm

Answer 15

rate at which the harmony changes e.g. one chord per bar

Question 16

define drone

Answer 16

one or more notes held or repeated through an extended passage of music

Question 17

define pedal

Answer 17

low held or repeated note, esp. the tonic or dominant, above which the chords may change

Question 18

define dissonance

Answer 18

“clashing” harmony that causes tension, often through the use of intervals such as seconds and sevenths

Question 19

define power chords

Answer 19

chords which uses the root and the 5th (i.e. no 3rd) often used by rock guitarists