Passing Chords
A passing chord is a decorative chord which does not affect the overall harmonic structure of the music – it is like a passing note[1], but written as a whole …
The Cadential 6/4
Another way of saying “2nd inversion chord” is “6/4 chord”, because the chord is built of a bass note plus the notes a 4th and a 6th higher. For example, …
Common Chord Progressions
Primary Chord Progressions In earlier lessons we learned about cadences and pre-cadence chords. The cadence chord progressions are all very common, whether they are used at a cadence or elsewhere …
Chord Progressions
Most music uses a variety of different chords. This piece is in C major. The first beat of bar 1 uses the notes from the C major tonic triad. We …
Chord Inversions in Music
You should already have a basic understanding of chord inversions (root position, first inversion and second inversion). For a reminder, see Chord Inversions. In this lesson we’ll learn a little …
Tierce de Picardie
Pieces of music composed in a minor key sometimes end on a major tonic chord, and this was particularly common in the Baroque era (c. 1600-1750). A major chord used …
Chord IV (Major Subdominant; Melodic Minor)
Although in minor keys we usually use the notes from the harmonic minor scale to build the subdominant chord, it’s also possible to build a different chord, using the notes …
Chord v (Minor Dominant)
Although in minor keys we usually use the notes from the harmonic minor scale to build the dominant chord, it’s also possible to build a different kind of dominant chord, …
Chord II7 (Supertonic 7th)
Chord ii7 is also known as the supertonic 7th chord. It’s built from the supertonic triad, plus another third added on top: the 2nd, 4th, 7th and 1st notes of …
Chord VII – The Leading Note
Chord vii° (Diminished) The chord built up from the 7th degree of the scale, or leading note, is called the leading note triad, or chord vii° (“seven diminished”). The leading …