Harmonic Sequence
A harmonic sequence is a short progression of chords which is then repeated, using different chords which are the same distance apart. For example, in the progression of chords I-IV-V-I …
Arpeggio 6/4 (Alberti Bass)
The arpeggio 6-4 is another one of the few progressions where you can use a second inversion chord. (Other progressions with 6/4 chords that you should already know are the …
Analysing Harmony with Decoration Notes
Chord Notes and Non-Chord Notes When we want to know which chords are being used in a piece of music, it’s important to be able to tell the difference between …
Decoration Mistakes to Avoid
Consecutives Consecutive 5ths and octaves must be avoided between chords when you are writing traditional harmony. If the music contains melodic decoration like passing or auxiliary notes, then you also …
Simultaneous Decoration
When decorative non-chord notes (e.g. passing notes or auxiliary notes) are used in two or more parts at the same time, it’s best to make sure that the decoration notes …
Suspensions
Suspensions are prepared, dissonant non-chord notes which resolve downwards by step. They fall on a strong beat, but are not normally accented in themselves, because they are usually tied backwards …
The Neapolitan 6th
One of the most commonly-used chromatic chords in the Classical period (and beyond) is the Neapolitan 6th chord, or “N6”. This is a major chord, built from the flattened supertonic …
Secondary 7ths
The chords ii7 and vii°7 are in a group of chords called secondary 7ths. A secondary 7th is an added 7th chord built on any degree of the scale except …
Chord vii°7 (Diminished 7th)
Chord vii°7 Chord vii°7 is a diminished 7th chord. It is built from the diminished triad on the 7th degree of the scale, plus another third added on top: the …
Chords and Key in a Score
Chords in Orchestral Scores In the ABRSM Grade 6 music theory exam you will be probably be asked to identify one or more chords in a score. For this grade, …