Articles tagged with: "harmony"
The Composer's Secret Weapon: A Deep Dive into Chromatic Modulation
Explore chromatic modulation, the powerful music theory technique for creating dramatic key changes. This guide covers its types, with practical ABC notation examples, and its use by composers like Schubert …
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The i-VI-ii-V7 Progression: Jazz's Most Essential Minor Key Sequence
Master the i-VI-ii-V7 progression, jazz's most essential minor key sequence. Learn how this sophisticated harmonic journey creates the perfect foundation for ballads and emotional musical expression.
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Unlocking the Diminished Sixth: A Guide to Its Tense Beauty
Explore the diminished sixth, a dissonant and expressive interval that is the enharmonic equivalent of a perfect fifth. Learn its definition, function, and use in creating harmonic tension in works …
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Understanding the Major Thirteenth Interval
Explore the major thirteenth interval: its definition, classification, examples, historical context, and practical applications in music composition and jazz harmony.
Decoding the Augmented Seventh: Music Theory's Curious Interval
Explore the augmented seventh, a unique musical interval that spans 12 semitones, making it sound identical to a perfect octave. This article decodes its theoretical purpose, notation, and use in …
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Classic Rock Progression: The Timeless I-V-vi-IV Formula
Master the I-V-vi-IV progression, the most beloved chord sequence in popular music. Learn why this "money progression" has powered countless hits from The Beatles to modern pop.
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Diminished Seventh Chord: The Master of Musical Tension
Master the diminished seventh chord, music's most dramatic and versatile harmony. Learn its symmetrical construction, multiple resolutions, and why it's essential for creating tension and smooth voice leading.
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Unlocking the Augmented Third: A Rare and Expressive Interval
Explore the augmented third, a rare interval that sounds like a perfect fourth but functions very differently. Learn its definition, spelling, and role in creating chromatic tension in music theory.
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Unlocking the Secrets of the Minor 13th Chord
Explore the fascinating world of the minor 13th chord! This article provides a comprehensive guide to its structure, function, and application in jazz and contemporary music. Learn through practical examples …
Modal Rock Progression: The Dark Power of i-bVII-bVI
Explore the i-bVII-bVI modal rock progression that creates dark, powerful atmospheres in metal and alternative music. Learn how this natural minor-based sequence became a cornerstone of modern rock harmony.
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Unlocking the Lydian Dominant (Lydian b7): A Comprehensive Guide
Explore the Lydian Dominant (Lydian b7) scale: its definition, application in composition and improvisation, and its unique sonic character. Discover its historical context and unlock new creative possibilities.
Unlocking Symmetrical Sounds: A Deep Dive into the Whole-Half Diminished Scale (Synthetic Scale 1)
A deep dive into the Whole-Half Diminished Scale (Synthetic Scale 1), exploring its unique symmetrical structure, its use in jazz and classical music, and how to apply it in practice.
Major Ninth Interval: Bright Extensions in Modern Harmony
Discover the major ninth interval, a compound interval spanning fourteen semitones that creates bright, open harmonies. Learn its applications in jazz, pop, and contemporary music through add9 chords and extended …
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Unlocking the Drama: A Complete Guide to Augmented Sixth Chords
A comprehensive guide for music students on Augmented Sixth chords. Learn the differences between Italian, French, and German sixths, see them in action with ABC notation examples, and discover their …
Unlocking Harmonic Journeys: A Guide to the Extended II-V Progression
Explore the Extended II-V, a powerful jazz harmony tool that chains chord progressions together to create compelling harmonic journeys. Learn its structure, see examples, and discover how jazz legends used …
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Unlocking the Augmented Fifth: Your Guide to Musical Tension and Color
Explore the augmented fifth, a dissonant yet colorful interval in music theory. Learn its definition, see examples, and discover how composers use it to create tension, mystery, and emotional depth …
Andalusian Cadence: The Haunting i-VII-VI-V Progression
Explore the haunting Andalusian cadence (i-VII-VI-V), a progression rooted in Spanish flamenco tradition that creates exotic, passionate atmospheres in music from classical to rock and metal.
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Unlocking the Secrets of the Neapolitan Minor Chord
Explore the Neapolitan minor chord: its definition, function, historical context, and practical applications in music composition. Learn to identify, analyze, and utilize this powerful harmonic tool to enrich your musical …
Minor Major Seventh Chord: The Mysterious Harmony
Explore the mysterious and sophisticated minor major seventh chord (mMaj7), a unique harmony that combines a minor triad with a major seventh interval, creating an intriguing sound used extensively in …
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Minor Ninth Interval: Expanding Beyond the Octave
Explore the minor ninth interval, a compound interval spanning thirteen semitones that adds sophisticated color to extended harmony. Learn its construction, resolution patterns, and essential role in jazz and contemporary …
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The Dominant Eleventh Chord: A Guide to Its Sound, Soul, and Function
Explore the dominant eleventh chord (V11), a complex harmony that adds color and tension to music. This guide covers its theory, common voicings, and role in jazz and funk.
Minor Blues Progression: The Soul of Emotional Expression
Discover the haunting beauty of minor blues progressions that transform traditional blues into sophisticated, emotionally rich harmonic landscapes. Essential for jazz, fusion, and contemporary music expression.
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Unlocking the Secrets of the 7#11 Chord
Explore the 7#11 chord: its definition, function in jazz and beyond, historical context, and practical applications for musicians. Learn to use this powerful alteration to enhance your compositions and improvisations.
Dominant Ninth Chord: Adding Color to Dominant Harmony
Discover the dominant ninth chord (9), an essential extended harmony that adds sophisticated color to dominant function. Learn its construction, applications in jazz and blues, and how it enhances traditional …
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Exploring Modal Jazz: The Genius of "So What"
Explore the revolutionary world of modal jazz through its most iconic example, Miles Davis's "So What." This article breaks down its simple yet profound structure, introduces the key figures behind …
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Half-Diminished Chord: The Sophisticated Minor Seventh Flat Five
Discover the half-diminished chord (m7♭5), the sophisticated balance between tension and stability. Essential for jazz ii-V-i progressions and classical harmony, this chord adds depth without overwhelming complexity.
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Minor Ninth Chord: Dark Sophistication in Extended Harmony
Learn about the minor ninth chord (m9), a sophisticated extended harmony that combines minor seventh chord richness with the bright color of a ninth interval, essential in jazz, R&B, and …
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Sus4 Chord: The Classic Suspended Harmony
The sus4 chord replaces the third of a major chord with the fourth scale degree, creating a distinctive harmony with a strong pull toward resolution. This chord builds tension through …
Tritone (Augmented Fourth): The Devil's Interval
The tritone, spanning six semitones, is Western music's most historically controversial interval. From medieval prohibition to modern acceptance, this "devil's interval" became essential in dominant seventh chords, blues scales, and …
Perfect Fourth Interval: The Foundation of Musical Stability
The perfect fourth interval spans five semitones and represents one of the most stable consonant intervals in Western music. This fundamental interval has historical significance from ancient Greece to modern …
Minor Third Interval: The Foundation of Minor Harmony
The minor third interval spans three semitones and forms the foundation of minor chords and harmony. This essential interval creates the characteristic "minor" sound associated with melancholy and emotional depth, …
Minor Sixth Interval: The Melancholic Beauty
The minor sixth interval spans eight semitones and creates a distinctive melancholic yet beautiful sound. This emotionally expressive interval appears prominently in romantic music, jazz harmony, and contemporary songwriting, serving …
Augmented Chord: The Mysterious Symmetrical Harmony
The augmented chord, built with two major thirds, creates a uniquely unstable and mysterious harmony that divides the octave into three equal parts. This symmetrical chord serves as a powerful …
Sus2 Chord: The Open and Airy Suspended Harmony
The sus2 chord replaces the third of a major chord with the second scale degree, creating an open, ambiguous harmony that neither sounds major nor minor. This versatile chord adds …
Diminished Chord: The Mysterious and Unstable Harmony
The diminished chord, built from stacked minor thirds, creates one of music's most unstable and tension-filled harmonies. Used in classical music, jazz, and film scores, these mysterious chords excel at …
Major Third Interval
Explore the major third interval - the bright, consonant interval of four semitones that defines major chords and creates the happy, uplifting sound in major tonality.
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Minor Seventh Chord
The minor seventh chord is a versatile four-note harmony with a minor triad plus minor seventh, creating smooth, contemplative sounds essential in jazz and contemporary music.
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ii-V-I Progression
Master the ii-V-I progression - the cornerstone of jazz harmony that creates compelling tension and resolution through its perfect voice leading and harmonic function.
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Dominant Seventh Chord
Explore the dominant seventh chord - the tension-filled four-note chord built on the fifth scale degree that drives harmonic motion and creates powerful resolutions in music.
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Major Seventh Chord: The Jazz Standard of Sophistication
The major seventh chord adds sophistication to basic major triads by including the major seventh interval. This elegant harmony is fundamental to jazz, bossa nova, and contemporary music, creating a …
Major Third
The major third is a bright, consonant interval of four semitones that forms the foundation of major chords and creates joyful, stable harmonic progressions.
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Perfect Fifth
The perfect fifth is the most stable consonant interval spanning seven semitones, forming the foundation of tonal harmony and chord construction in Western music.
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Minor Third
The minor third is a fundamental interval of three semitones that forms the basis of minor chords and creates darker, more melancholic musical expressions.
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I-IV-V-I Chord Progression: The Foundation of Western Music
Explore the I-IV-V-I chord progression, the foundational harmonic sequence that underpins countless songs across genres. Learn how this progression creates musical movement and resolution, its historical significance, and practical applications …
Major Chords: The Building Blocks of Happy Music
Major chords are fundamental building blocks of music with a bright, happy sound. This article explores their structure (root, major third, perfect fifth), inversions, extensions, and applications across genres, providing …
The Lydian Mode: Bright Colors in Modern Harmony
The Lydian mode, characterized by its distinctive raised fourth degree, creates a bright, optimistic sound that has captivated composers and improvisers throughout musical history. This comprehensive guide explores the theoretical …
Minor Chords: The Emotional Core of Music
Minor chords are essential elements in music, known for their melancholic and emotionally rich qualities. This article explores their structure (root, minor third, perfect fifth), variations, historical significance, and applications …
Major Scales: The Melodic Foundation of Western Music
Major scales constitute one of the fundamental pillars of Western music, providing the basis for melody, harmony, and composition across centuries. This article explores the structure of the major scale, …
Perfect Unison - The Foundation of Musical Intervals
Explore the perfect unison interval - the foundation of all musical intervals. Learn about its importance in tuning, harmony, and ensemble playing, with practical examples and applications.
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Modal Scales: Ancient Paths to Modern Expression
Modal scales have shaped musical expression from ancient to modern times, offering distinctive tonal colors beyond major and minor scales. This article explores the seven traditional Western modes—Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, …
Altered Chords: Adding Color and Tension to Your Music
Altered chords add sophistication and tension to music through chromatic modifications of standard chord tones. This comprehensive guide explores their construction, common uses, and practical applications across genres, providing musicians …
Bossa Nova Chord Progressions - The Brazilian Sound
Discover the harmonic sophistication of bossa nova chord progressions. Learn about their structure, variations, and applications in modern music, with examples from classic Brazilian jazz standards.
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Secondary Dominants: Adding Color and Direction to Chord Progressions
Secondary dominants are powerful harmonic tools that add color, tension, and forward momentum to chord progressions. By temporarily "tonicizing" non-tonic chords, secondary dominants create brief harmonic detours that enrich musical …
Extended Chords: Adding Color and Sophistication to Harmony
Extended chords enrich basic triads by adding intervals beyond the seventh, including ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths. This comprehensive guide explores their construction, voicing, and application across musical styles, providing musicians …
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Common Chord Progressions: The Building Blocks of Musical Harmony
Chord progressions are the harmonic foundations that drive musical compositions across nearly all Western musical styles. This comprehensive guide explores the most common and influential chord progressions, from the classic …
The Harmonic Minor Scale: Mystery and Tension in Music
The harmonic minor scale is characterized by its raised seventh degree, creating a distinctive augmented second interval that produces an exotic, mysterious sound. This comprehensive guide explores the scale's structure, …
Understanding Musical Chords: The Building Blocks of Harmony
Chords are the fundamental building blocks of harmony in Western music. This comprehensive guide explores chord construction, types, functions, and applications across musical genres. From basic triads to complex extended …
The Hendrix Chord - Exploring the Dominant 7#9
Discover the iconic Hendrix chord (dominant 7#9) - its structure, history, and practical applications in rock, blues, and beyond. Learn how this distinctive sound revolutionized guitar-based music.
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The Melodic Minor Scale: A Versatile Tool for Musicians
The melodic minor scale is a versatile musical construct that traditionally features an ascending form with raised sixth and seventh degrees and a descending form identical to the natural minor …