Topic 1 of 6 · Form 5
Harmony and voice leading
Triads on each degree of the major scale: I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°. Primary chords I, IV, V; secondary chords ii, iii, vi. Inversions: root position (a), first inversion (b – 3rd in the bass), second inversion (c – 5th in the bass). Seventh chords: V⁷ (dominant seventh) resolves to I.
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Chords
Triads on each degree of the major scale: I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°. Primary chords I, IV, V; secondary chords ii, iii, vi. Inversions: root position (a), first inversion (b – 3rd in the bass), second inversion (c – 5th in the bass). Seventh chords: V⁷ (dominant seventh) resolves to I.
Cadences
- Perfect (V–I): finished.
- Plagal (IV–I): "Amen" ending.
- Imperfect (ending on V): unfinished.
- Interrupted (V–vi): surprise.
Four-part writing (SATB)
- Ranges: soprano C4–G5; alto G3–D5; tenor C3–G4; bass E2–C4 (approximately).
- Doubling: usually double the root; avoid doubling the leading note.
- Voice leading: keep common notes, move other parts by step where possible.
- Avoid consecutive (parallel) fifths and octaves, overlapping and crossing parts, and spacing of more than an octave between upper parts.
- The leading note rises to the tonic in perfect cadences; the seventh of V⁷ falls by step.
Modulation
Moving to related keys (dominant, subdominant, relative minor) through a pivot chord.
Worked example: In C major, which chords form a perfect cadence?
G major (V: G–B–D) to C major (I: C–E–G); with V⁷ the F falls to E.
Check yourself
- Which cadence goes from V to vi?
- Which note should not be doubled in a dominant chord?
- What is a pivot chord?
Show answers
- The interrupted cadence.
- The leading note (the 3rd of chord V).
- A chord common to both the old key and the new key, used to modulate smoothly.
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