Pivot Chords
Pivot Chords A pivot is a chord which belongs to both the old and new keys. Pivot chords can make modulations smoother, but it is not essential to use a …
Prevailing Key
Prevailing Key The key at the start of a piece of music is the “home” key. Music can change key for brief moments, or for longer passages. When there’s a …
Close Keys
Close Keys for Modulation Whichever key you begin with, the closest keys to modulate to are the dominant (add one sharp or remove one flat), the subdominant (add one flat …
Modulation
Modulation “Modulation” in music means “change of key”. A modulation can happen with or without a change of key signature, and in fact, most modulations do not include a change …
Implied Harmony
Implied Harmony Although we think of harmony as being chords (usually three or more notes sounding at the same time), even a single line of melody has harmony embedded within …
SATB Decoration
Here is an SATB hymn tune Pansies, Lilies, Roses which is not decorated: To make it a little more rhythmically and melodically interesting, we can add unaccented passing notes between …
SATB Voice Leading
The four voices in SATB writing have different characteristics. In fact, 4-part music has three separate layers. The topmost layer is the tune, found in the soprano part. The lowest …
SATB Doubling, Omissions & Spacing
Doubling When a three-note chord is used in four-part harmony, one of the triad notes must be used twice. This is called “doubling” a note. The doubled note can …
SATB Harmony
Introduction to SATB Harmony Chords are often written for four separate voices, parts or instruments, because a 4-note chord makes a richer sounding chord than a three-note chord. This is …
Q1a | Chords to Accompany a Melody
Writing Chords to Accompany a Melody The first question in the ABRSM grade 6 theory paper asks you to provide a chord progression for a given melody. You are given …