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Music Theory and Composition
What Are Italian, French and German Augmented-Sixth Chords, and How Do They Resolve to the Dominant?
Augmented-Sixth Chords: How Chromatic Harmony Intensifies the DominantAmong the most distinctive chromatic harmonies in tonal music are the augmented-sixth chords.
They are… read more
What Is the Neapolitan Chord, and How Does ♭II⁶ Resolve to the Dominant in C Minor?
The Neapolitan Chord: Creating Dramatic Tension Before the DominantSome chords are immediately recognisable because of the particular harmonic role they play.
The Neapolitan chord is one of them.
… read moreWhat Are Borrowed Chords in Music, and How Do iv, ♭VI and ♭VII Work in C Major?
Borrowed Chords: Using Modal Mixture in Major and Minor KeysA major-key progression does not have to use only chords derived from the major scale. Composers can introduce harmonies from the parallel minor,… read more
What Are Secondary Leading-Tone Chords, and How Does vii°/ii Resolve to D Minor?
Secondary Leading-Tone Chords: Using Diminished Harmony to Approach ChordsSecondary dominants are not the only way to create temporary harmonic direction within a key.
Another important technique uses… read more
What Are Secondary Dominants in Music, and How Do V/V and V/ii Work?
Secondary Dominants: How to Create Temporary Harmonic GravityIn tonal music, the dominant chord has a particularly strong relationship with the tonic. It creates tension and expectation, encouraging the music to resolve… read more
What Is Chromatic Harmony, and How Do Chromatic Chords Add Colour Without Changing the Key?
Chromatic Harmony Explained: Adding Colour Beyond the Major and Minor ScalesDiatonic harmony provides the basic harmonic vocabulary of major and minor keys. It gives chords their familiar functions… read more
How Does Modulation Shape Sonata Form, Emotional Contrast and the Structure of Electronic Music?
Modulation in Musical Form: Sonata Structure, Emotional Contrast and Electronic CompositionModulation is not only a way to create variety within a chord progression. It can also shape the… read more
What Is the Difference Between Direct Modulation and Sequential Modulation in Music?
Direct and Sequential Modulation: Two Ways to Change Tonal DirectionNot every modulation needs to be smooth or gradual.
Some composers prefer to move directly into a new key, creating a sudden change… read more
What Is a Pivot Chord, and How Can You Use It to Modulate from One Key to Another?
Pivot Chords: How to Modulate Smoothly Between KeysOne of the most elegant ways to move from one key to another is through a pivot chord.
A pivot chord belongs naturally to both the original key and… read more
What Are Closely Related Keys in Music, and Which Keys Can You Modulate to from C Major?
Closely Related Keys: Choosing Destinations for ModulationWhen composers move from one key to another, they do not always choose a completely unrelated tonal centre.
Many modulations take place… read more