Harmony/tonality Flashcards
(24 cards)
Primary chords
The three triads built on the 1st 4th and 5th note of the scale - chords I, IV and V
Secondary chords
Chords ii, iii, iv
Inversion
The three notes of a chord played in a different order - the bass note indicates the inversion
Diatonic
Uses the standard notes of a scale with no chromatic alteration
Tonic
Chord built on the first degree of the scale
Subdominant
Chord built on the fourth degree of the scale
Dominant
Chord built on the 5th degree of the scale
Dominant 7th
Chord adding the 7th degree of the scale
Perfect cadence
Uses chords V to I - sounds complete and always stops on the tonic. All chords are major
Imperfect cadence
Lands on chord V - sounds incomplete and the second chord always lands on V which is major
Plagal cadence
Uses IV to I - sounds complete, ‘amen’
Interrupted cadence
Uses chords V to VI # sounds incomplete and involves moving from major to minor
Chord progression / sequence
A sequence of chords that work well together
Harmonic rhythm
The rate at which chords change in a piece
Drone
Long held note or chord in the bass of the piece
Pedal
Sustained or repeated note in the bass
Dissonance
When the notes ‘clash’
Power chords
Used in guitar that only use the root and 5th note of the scale
Major
Happy uplifting key/chord
Minor
Sad/serious key/chord
Modulation
Changing key
Relative major
Major key three semitones up - share same key signature
Relative minor
Minor key three semitones down - share same key signature
Pentatonic
Key which uses only 5 notes
