INTRODUCTIONTO MUSIC THEORYWednesday, October 19, 2011

TODAY:

Music Sharing! Review: Common Harmonies: MAJOR Review: Broken Chords & Arpeggios New: Common Harmonies: MINOR New: Cadences New: Passing Tones & Neighboring

Tones New: Composition in MAJOR & MINOR

MAJOR:› Scale degrees 1, 3, 5 = I chord› Scale degrees 2, 4, 5, 7 = V (or V7) chord› Scale degrees 1, 4, 6 = IV chord› When harmonizing with the V7 chord, the

5th is often omitted. › Most harmonizations begin with a I chord› Typical progression at the end of a piece:

ii–vi–V–I IV–V–I

COMMON HARMONIES:

BROKEN CHORDS & ARPEGGIOS

BROKEN CHORDS:› A way to harmonize a melody in which the chord

notes are “broken up” (not played simultaneously). › Opposite of Block chords (when the notes of a

chord are played together at the same time). ARPEGGIOS:

› When the notes of a chord are played sequentially; one after the other.

› “Arpeggio” comes from the Italian word, “arpeggiare”, meaning “to play on a harp.”

› An arpeggio may be extended to an octave or more.

MINOR:› Scale degrees 1, 3, 5 = i chord› Scale degrees 2, 4, 5, 7 = V (or V7) chord› Scale degrees 1, 4, 6 = iv chord› When harmonizing with the V7 chord, the

5th is often omitted. › Most harmonizations begin with a i chord› Typical progression at the end of a piece:

ii–vi–V(7)–I IV–V(7)–I

COMMON HARMONIES:

A progression of at least two chords that end a phrase, section, or piece of music.

Authentic Cadence: › V(7)–I or V(7)–i

Plagal Cadence: › IV–I or IV–I (“Amen”)

Half Cadence: › any cadence ending on V

Deceptive Cadence: › V–chord other than I (typically ii, IV6, iv6,

vi or VI)

CADENCES:

PASSING TONES & NEIGHBORING TONES:

Most melodies include tones that are not part of the chord used for the harmony. These non–chord tones are called “non–harmonic tones.”

When a melody passes from one chord tone to a different chord tone with a non–harmonic tone in between, the non–harmonic tone is called a PASSING TONE.

When a melody passes from one chord tone back to the same chord tone with a non–harmonic tone in between, the non–harmonic tone is called a PASSING TONE.

Upper & lower neighboring tones

COMPOSITION:

Composition is a similar process regardless of whether you are composing in a major or a minor key. You can compose a melody based on a given chord progression.

Analyze the chord progression by writing Roman numerals below the chords and/chord symbols above the staff.

COMPOSITION:

Use both chord tones and non–chord tones (passing and neighboring) to make the melody unique and interesting.

Remember that the first and last note of a melody tends to be the root of the I (or i) chord.

Also, remember that a V or V7 chord usually precedes the last chord.

YOUR COMPOSITIONS… Start adding harmony (chords/arpeggios, etc.)

to your composition! Use Noteflight! As a part of your final exam, you will turn in a

‘completed’ composition. This must include: › Your original poem/quote/text/lyrics› Melody line › Harmonization (chord tones & non–chord tones)› Correct key signatures, time signature, etc. › Dynamic, articulation, and tempo markings› Any other theoretical components that we’ve

studied during this term that you’d like to employ to make your composition the best it can be!