Lutheran Chorales
Lutheran Chorales are a type of religious hymn which were popular during the Baroque era. Before chorales were invented, religious music had always been sung in Latin in churches across …
Trinity Grade 6 Music Theory
Welcome to the Trinity Grade 6 Music Theory start page! Trinity Grade 6 Syllabus Rhythm, Texture and Form Composers and General Knowledge The Baroque period. Composers of particular relevance to …
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 …
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 …
The Baroque Era
The Baroque Era The Baroque era in music was (roughly) between the years 1600 to 1750. Some of the most famous composers of this era are: J.S. Bach, Henry Purcell …
Texture
Homophonic and Polyphonic The words homophonic and polyphonic describe two ways a piece of music can be layered to create different textures. Homophonic describes music that has one main melody, …
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 …
Accidentals
Figured Bass Accidentals If a chord needs an accidental, a flat, sharp or natural sign is added as a figure. It is either written next to the number it applies …
5/3, 6/3 and 6/4
5/3 – Root Position Chords 5/3 means “root position chord”, or “a” chord. We must add a 5th and a 3rd above the bass note to make a complete chord. …
Figured Bass
Figured Bass – Introduction Figured bass is an 18th century system for notating improvised chords, which is used in modern times as a tool for music theory and analysis (so, …