Secondary Chords in Musical Contexts

Question 1

big idea

Answer 1

• why do we use secondary chords

Question 2

why

Answer 2

• there are four reasons they might appear
• • to intensify a harmony
• • to provide harmonic diversion
• • to create forward momentum
• • to evade an expected resolution

Question 3

intensifying a harmony

Answer 3

• tonicize a ii and it will create a more powerful predominant that leads to a V. it makes the V sound more like a I
• use a secondary dominant as part of a sequence

Question 4

providing harmonic diversity

Answer 4

• make something different so it’s not all the same
• for a moment, there will be a temporary tonic, creating a new tonal area for a brief time. creates an extended secondary section

Question 5

creating forward momentum

Answer 5

• the dominant requires a return to tonic. the progression creates tensions that demands a relief
• the transitional moments it creates, helps propel the piece shift to a new sound

Question 6

evading an expected resolution

Answer 6

• doing something that the listeners would not expect

- it takes the listener a tonal area of music that was not planned, or expected

Question 7

why do we use secondary chords

Answer 7

• to intensify a harmony
• to create a forward momentum
• to avoid a resolution

Question 8

to intensify a harmony, we _______

Answer 8

• use some sort of secondary dominant to tonicize the harmony

Question 9

what is meany by forward momentum in music?

Answer 9

• an unpredicted harmony creates a feeling of being unsettled that needs to move forward to resolve

Question 10

using secondary chords to avoid expected resolutions and instead present unfamiliar harmonies creates a sense of musical “surprise”

Answer 10

• true

Question 11

in the key of Eb Major if you find a chord spelled F#-A-C-E, what would you label it

Answer 11

• viio7/iii

Question 12

in the key of Eb Major if you find a chord spelled F-A-C-F, what would you label it

Answer 12

• V/V