Monday, December 3, 2018

The dominant seventh chord: parts 3-5 (this was originally for 12/5)

On Wednesday 12/5, we had a class cancellation (mourning day for George H.W. Bush). Here are the videos on inversions of V7, which is where we will begin this semester.

V7, part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Please excuse the background noise.

Composition project, phase 1

(Phase 2 is the complete composition, due Friday. See separate blog post)

Harmonic Vocabulary
·      Tonic triad -- root position and first inversion (I and I6 in major; i and i6 in minor)
·      Dominant triad -- root position and first inversion
·      Dominant seventh chord -- root position and all inversions (see parts 3, 4, and 5 of the video series if you want to use inversions of V7)
·      Subdominant triad -- root position and first inversion (IV and IV6 in major; iv and iv6 in minor)
·      Supertonic triad -- root position (ii/major key only) and first inversion (ii6 in major, iiº6 in minor)
·      Six-four chords -- Cadential, Neighboring, Passing (and Arpeggiating)

Assignment for Wednesday:
Write a pair of phrases (each one 8 measures long) using the harmonic vocabulary listed above. (It doesn't have to use every one of the chords, but should use at least some of the newer chords.) The phrases should go together.
Use the chords in a manner appropriate for common-practice music.

Choose one of the following keys:


  • D major
  • Eb major
  • E major
  • F major
  • G major
  • Ab major
  • A major
  • Bb major
  • B major
  • C minor
  • D minor
  • E minor
  • F minor
  • F# minor
  • G minor
  • Bb minor
  • B minor
Choose duple, triple, or quadruple meter
Harmonic rhythm should be one chord per measure (mostly), may speed up toward the cadence.
Write a bass line and Roman numerals, and sketch out a melodic framework (one or two main notes per chord)

Ultimately you will turn these phrases into a short composition for one or more class members. The pieces will be performed on the last day of class. We will have a composition workshop on Wednesday, where we critique the chord progressions.

Due at 1PM on Wednesday. You may EMAIL it to me, or for a bonus point, upload it to the blog. Title your post "Composition draft" and your name.