Consecutive 5ths and Octaves
When two parts form a harmonic interval of a perfect 5th, this should not normally be followed by another perfect 5th between the same two parts, in Classical harmony. This …
Leading Notes and 7ths
Voice Leading Leading Notes The behaviour of the leading note is crucial to writing good harmony, and good compositions. The 7th degree of the scale is called the “leading note” …
Augmented and Diminished Intervals
Aug/Dim Melodic Intervals If the interval between one note and the next in a tune is an augmented or diminished interval, the interval is dissonant and needs to be treated …
Conjunct and Disjunct Motion
Conjunct Motion Stepwise movement is called “conjunct” movement and is the most common type of movement found in all styles of music. Conjunct movement is the easiest to sing, and …
Voice Leading
What is Voice Leading? The term “voice-leading” refers to the way a line of music moves up and down. (It is also sometimes called “part-writing”.) Voice-leading helps us to answer …
Pedals
A “pedal” is a note which is repeated or held for some time, while the chords around it change. Pedals are normally found on either the tonic or dominant notes. …
Auxiliary Notes
Ordinary Auxiliary Notes Auxiliary notes are non-chord notes which are approached and quit in the opposite direction by step. They are usually unaccented. Auxiliary notes occur between two chord notes …
Accented Passing Notes
Accented passing notes fall on the beat, instead of between the beats. Here are some undecorated chords. There are thirds in the soprano part which could be decorated with unaccented …
Unaccented Passing Notes
Passing notes are non-chord notes which are approached and quit by step in the same direction. They can be either accented or more usually, unaccented. Unaccented passing notes are the …
Interrupted Cadence
Normally at the end of a phrase we find some type of cadence. If chord V (or V7) is used as the penultimate chord, the final chord of the phrase …