Cpt. 13: The Submediant And Step Descent Bass

Question 1

How does the Submediant (vi) chord function?

Answer 1

-function depends on context
-part tonic and part predominant
-can connect the two functions or replace them

Question 2

How does the submediant (iv) act as a pre pre-dominant?

Answer 2

-by going before IV or ii
-descending bass arpeggiation ( ^1, ^6, ^4)
-is an expansion of the tonic because it shares ^1 and ^3

Question 3

How does the submediant (iv) act as a substitute for tonic?

Answer 3

-deceptive cadence. (V-vi) resolving melodically to I but harmonically to vi
-vi resolves the leading tone, just not where the listener expects
(Deceptive motion is always in root position)

Question 4

How does the submediant (vi) function as a pre-dominant?

Answer 4

-when it immediately goes before the dominant

Question 5

Good writing techniques for the submediant as a pre-dominant in both major and minor

Answer 5

-Major: root of the vi is doubled, all other voices go up to V
-Minor: the third of the VI is doubled, which avoids an augmented second from lowered ^6 to raised ^7.

Question 6

What are the three functions of the Submediant (vi)?

Answer 6

-Pre pre-dominant
-Substitute for tonic
-pre-dominant

Question 7

What are apparent submediants?

Answer 7

Voice leading chords that are actually an expansion of the previous chord, not submediants. Example: I^5-6.

Question 8

What is a step descent bass?

Answer 8

-lament bass
^1, ^7, ^6, ^5
Chord progression in Minor: i - v^6 - iv^6 - V
^7 and ^6 NOT raised

Question 9

What is an indirect descent bass?

Answer 9

Descending bass from ^1 except ^5 is overshot, then comes back for the cadence
- can pass through ^5 without going to V