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Chord Progressions

 

Harmony

The connection of one chord to another is often referred to as a "chord progression" and when people examine these progressions ;they are said to be "studying harmony". This chapter discusses some of the basics of harmony and chord progressions. Although this chapter relies on technical analysis of the intervals of the harmonies, they should be appreciated for their sonic and emotional value as well.

 

Authentic

The authentic cadence is the progression of the V chord to the I chord. It provides a strong and convincing feeling of finality that is appropriate for musical phrase endings. It is common for the last cadence of a classical piece to be an authentic cadence. To further subdivide the cadence it is a "perfect authentic cadence" when both chords are in root position and the last chord also has the tonic in the upper voice, and a "imperfect authenic cadence" in all other voicings.

 

Plagal

The plagal cadence is the progression of the IV chord to the I chord. It is common as a final cadence in church music and is sometimes referred to a "church cadence" or "amen cadence".

 

Deceptive

The deceptive cadence is the progression of the V chord to something other than the I chord. The V-I authentic cadence is so common that whenever the V chord occurs at a penultimate cadential point, the absence of the I chord is considered a deception of one's expectation. The most common deceptive cadence is the V-VI progression. Another deceptive cadence is V-IV. The Deceptive is rarely a final cadence, but instead it generally leads to another phrase. It provides a musical pause yet does not feel totally resolved and final.

 

Half

The half cadence is a progression that comes to rest on the V chord. Common examples include I-V, II-V, and IV-V. The important aspect is the cadence ends on V. This cadence is rarely a final cadence and it often creates a musical question that needs an answer in the form of a concluding musical phrase.

 

Common Practice

Parallel Fifths

Augmented 2nds

Melodic 2-1

 

Progressions of a Fourth

 

Progressions of a Third

 

Progressions of a Second

 

Common Chord Progressions

 

Class Assignments:

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©1998 Michael Sult