Naming Chords - Music Theory

Music Matters
6 Dec 201813:58
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video analyzes a series of chords to name and understand them, a useful skill for harmonic analysis, writing music, and interpreting what you play. It determines the key signature, using accidentals and chord progressions as clues, landing on C minor. It then names each chord, explaining chord inversions and identifying a chromatic Italian sixth chord. It plays through the chord progression, allowing listeners to hear the impact of the surprise Tierce de Picardie major chord ending a minor key progression.

Takeaways
  • 😀 The video explains how to analyze a series of chords and name them, which is a useful skill for musical studies and composing music.
  • 🎹 The first step is determining the key signature - here it looks to be C minor rather than Eb major based on accidentals like B naturals.
  • 🎼 The chords are analyzed by identifying the triad notes and bass note to name the type of chord and inversion.
  • 🎶 Chord analysis informs the harmonic interpretation and helps identify non-diatonic chords like the Italian sixth chord used.
  • 🔈 The Tierce de Picardie technique is used on the final chord, raising the third of a minor key tonic chord to create a major sound.
  • 🎵 Chord I in C minor appears in root position and first inversion.
  • ♭ The diminished seventh chord built on II is identified as II7b.
  • 🎚 The V chord appears in root position as a simple triad.
  • 🎛 The chromatic Italian sixth chord is built on the sixth degree of C minor with an augmented sixth above.
  • 🎹 The chord analysis demonstrates how to systematically name chords in a key using triad identification, inversions and chromatic chords.
Q & A

  • What is the purpose of harmonic analysis?

    -Harmonic analysis helps name chords in a piece of music. This allows musicians to understand the chord progressions and make informed decisions when interpreting, composing or studying music.

  • How can you determine if a piece is in a major or minor key?

    -Look for accidentals that don't belong in the key signature, especially on the 7th degree of the scale. For minor keys, you'll often see the 7th degree raised from a flat to a natural note.

  • What is a Tierce de Picardie?

    -A Tierce de Picardie is when the final chord in a minor key piece is made major. This brightens the ending by raising the 3rd of the tonic chord a semitone.

  • What are some types of chromatic chords?

    -Diminished 7th chords, augmented 6th chords like the Italian, French and German 6ths, and Neapolitan chords are examples of chromatic chords that contain notes outside the key.

  • How do you identify an augmented 6th chord?

    -They are built on the 6th degree of the minor scale or lowered 6th degree of the major scale. The top voice is an augmented 6th above the bass note and the tonic is placed in the middle.

  • What are the chord inversions called?

    -The chord with the root in the bass is root position or 'a'. First inversion with the 3rd in the bass is 'b'. Second inversion with the 5th in the bass is 'c'.

  • How is a 7th chord identified?

    -A 7th chord contains the root, 3rd, 5th and 7th of the scale degree on which it is built. The extra 7th note is what defines it as a 7th chord.

  • What causes notes like B natural and F sharp to appear in C minor?

    -The melodic and harmonic minor scales raise certain notes like the 7th degree and 6th degree. This introduces these chromatic notes into the key.

  • What chord names are used in the example?

    -The chords named are: Cm, Cm/Eb, Ddim7/F, G, It+6, G, and C (Picardy 3rd).

  • What techniques help determine chord names?

    -Identifying the key, finding the basic triad, noting inverted chords, recognizing 7th chords, and understanding chromatic chords.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Identifying the Key and Basic Triad Chords

This paragraph introduces the video, stating the goal is to identify and name the chords in the music. It explains the importance of determining the key first, through clues like the key signature, accidentals, and tonic chords. The chords are analyzed as triads to find the basic harmonies.

05:00
😃 Analyzing the Chromatic Chords and Cadence

This paragraph continues analyzing the chords. A diminished 7th and Italian augmented 6th chord are identified through the chord tones. The ending Tierce de Picardie cadence is explained, where the final tonic chord is major instead of minor for a brighter finish.

10:00
😄 Summary of Chord Analysis and Musical Demonstration

This paragraph concludes with a summary listing the full chord analysis, using Roman numerals and chord names. The chord progression is then played to demonstrate the sound and effect of the chromatic and cadence chords in context.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Chord analysis
Chord analysis refers to the process of identifying and naming the chords used in a piece of music. As explained in the video, it is an important skill for musicians and helps inform melodic interpretation. The video provides a step-by-step guide to analyzing the series of chords, determining the key, identifying chord types like major, minor, diminished, augmented, and chromatic chords.
💡Harmonic analysis
Harmonic analysis refers to analyzing the chords and harmony within a piece of music. It is related to the harmonic minor scale which often determines the chords used. The video explains it is useful for songwriting to decide which chords to use.
💡Chromatic chord
A chromatic chord uses notes that are not typically found in the key signature, marked by accidentals. They add color and interest, like the F-sharp leading to the Italian sixth chord in this example. Common types are diminished sevenths, augmented sixths, and Neapolitan chords.
💡Italian sixth chord
One type of augmented sixth chord that contains the sixth degree of the minor scale, an augmented sixth above that, and the tonic in the middle. Identified in the video when detecting the augmented sixth (A-flat up to F-sharp) with C between them.
💡Tierce de Picardie
Tierce de Picardie refers to the technique of raising the third of the final tonic chord by a semitone in a minor key, so the piece ends with a major chord. This is done in the video example, brightening the final C minor chord to C major.
💡Inversion
Inversion refers to rearranging the notes of a chord so that a different note is in the bass. Root position has the root in bass, first inversion has the third in bass, second inversion has the fifth in bass. Used when identifying the Ib chord.
💡Diminished chord
A diminished chord contains a flatted fifth interval and has a tense, dissonant sound. The video analysis identifies a D diminished seventh chord in second inversion, containing D, F, A-flat, and C.
💡Seventh chord
A seventh chord includes the root, third, fifth, and seventh note of its major scale. Seventh chords create color and interest. The example identifies a II7b chord - a D seventh chord in first inversion.
💡Major and minor chords
Major chords sound bright and happy, containing the root, major third, and fifth. Minor chords sound solemn and sad, containing the root, minor third, and fifth. Detecting these qualities helps determine if the key signature is major or minor.
💡Accidentals
Accidentals are notes that are not normally found in the key signature, marked with sharps, flats or naturals. They indicate that chromatic chords are being used or that we are in a minor key instead of the relative major.
Highlights

First significant research finding

Introduction of new theoretical framework

Description of innovative experimental method

Analysis of potential societal impact

Transcripts

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