Identifying Chords (ABRSM Grade 7)
Although most chords that you are asked to find at Grade 7 are dominant 7ths, diminished 7ths or Neapolitan 6ths, any other “normal” chord could also come up, including added …
Harmonic Sequence with Suspensions
Here is a harmonic sequence which comprises a progression of 5ths, each with added 7th chords. It uses a series of suspensions which allow each chord to move smoothly into …
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 …
Arpeggio 6/4 (Alberti Bass)
The arpeggio 6-4 is another one of the few progressions where you can use a second inversion chord. (Other progressions with 6/4 chords that you should already know are the …
Analysing Harmony with Decoration Notes
Chord Notes and Non-Chord Notes When we want to know which chords are being used in a piece of music, it’s important to be able to tell the difference between …
Decoration Mistakes to Avoid
Consecutives Consecutive 5ths and octaves must be avoided between chords when you are writing traditional harmony. If the music contains melodic decoration like passing or auxiliary notes, then you also …
Simultaneous Decoration
When decorative non-chord notes (e.g. passing notes or auxiliary notes) are used in two or more parts at the same time, it’s best to make sure that the decoration notes …
Suspensions
Suspensions are prepared, dissonant non-chord notes which resolve downwards by step. They fall on a strong beat, but are not normally accented in themselves, because they are usually tied backwards …
Using Decoration Notes
Auxiliary Notes Auxiliary notes are non-chord notes which are approached and quit in the opposite direction by step. They are usually unaccented. They can either be upper or lower auxiliary …
The Neapolitan 6th
One of the most commonly-used chromatic chords in the Classical period (and beyond) is the Neapolitan 6th chord, or “N6”. This is a major chord, built from the flattened supertonic …