Audio Examples
Music Theory Audio Examples If you are like many other music theory students, you might find it difficult to “hear” in your head when you’re reading about music theory. It’s …
How to Play Arpeggios
How to Play Arpeggios Arpeggios are part of the Trinity music theory syllabus, but they are not tested in the ABRSM music theory syllabus. If you take a practical (instrumental) …
7th Chords
Chords with an Added 7th A “7th chord” is a general term for any triad with an added note which is a 7th higher than the root of the triad. …
Identifying Prevailing Key
Identifying the Prevailing Key To work out the prevailing key at any point in a piece of music, remember that chords generally belong to one of three types: These 2 …
Other Chromatic Chords
Other Chromatic Chords For each degree of the scale, it is possible to build a major, minor, diminished and augmented triad. So, for example in C major, it is possible …
Secondary Dominants
Any major or minor chord can be approached by its own temporary dominant or dominant 7th chord, which is called a “secondary dominant”. The most frequently seen secondary dominant is …
Chords (ABRSM Grade 8)
By the time you reach ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory, the syllabus asks that you understand “all standard diatonic and chromatic chords“. You will need to be able to recognise …
Augmented 6th Chords
Augmented 6th Chords There are three chromatic chords which contain the interval of an augmented 6th; the Italian 6th, French 6th and German 6th, collectively known as the “augmented 6th …
Borrowed Chords and Parallel Keys
Parallel Keys Parallel keys are the major and minor using the same tonic, for example C major and C minor are parallel keys. Sometimes parallel keys use enharmonic equivalents, to …
Chromatic Chords
Chromatic Chords Diatonic chords are the ones which are built from the scale of the prevailing key. Chromatic chords use one or more notes which do not exist in the …