3.1 The development of functional harmony
2 min read•july 18, 2024
in Baroque music revolutionized composition by assigning specific roles to chords within a key. This system established a clear and provided a framework for creating tension and resolution in musical works.
like the , , and formed the backbone of Baroque . These progressions, along with the interplay between , became fundamental to the era's musical expression and structure.
Functional Harmony in Baroque Music
Functional harmony in Baroque music
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- Functional harmony assigns specific roles and relationships to chords within a key, establishing a hierarchical system
- Classifies chords based on their function in establishing, reinforcing, or destabilizing the tonal center (tonic, dominant, subdominant)
- Became a fundamental organizing principle in Baroque compositions, providing clear tonality and structure
- Composers employed functional harmony to create tension, resolution, and in their works (Bach, Vivaldi, Handel)
Primary chords and tonality
- Tonic chord (I) built on the first scale degree, establishes and reinforces the tonal center, provides stability and resolution (C major: C-E-G)
- Dominant chord (V) built on the fifth scale degree, creates tension and instability, requires resolution to the tonic, often used in (C major: G-B-D)
- Subdominant chord (IV) built on the fourth scale degree, complements the dominant chord, provides contrast to the tonic, helps establish the key (C major: F-A-C)
Harmonic progressions in Baroque compositions
- Common harmonic progressions establish key, provide direction, and create harmonic interest
- : Basic progression establishing key, provides sense of departure and return (C-F-G-C)
- : "Pachelbel progression" creates memorable and satisfying harmonic sequence (C-G-Am-F-C)
- : Variant of I-IV-V-I using supertonic (ii) chord for added color and variety (C-Dm-G-C)
- Composers utilized progressions to reinforce tonal center and generate harmonic variety (Corelli, Purcell)
Melody vs harmony in Baroque
- Melody and harmony closely intertwined in Baroque compositions
- Melodies often outline notes of underlying chords, creating a symbiotic relationship
- Harmonic progressions support and enhance expressive qualities of the melody (aria, concerto)
- : Common Baroque accompaniment style featuring bass line and improvised chords, provides harmonic foundation and supports melody
- : Art of combining multiple independent melodic lines, each contributing to overall harmonic structure, creating rich and complex harmonic texture (fugue, canon)
Key Terms to Review (20)
Antonio Vivaldi: Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian composer, violinist, and priest, best known for his contributions to Baroque music, particularly his concertos, especially 'The Four Seasons.' His work exemplified the key characteristics of the Baroque style, including the use of contrast, vivid imagery in music, and a strong sense of rhythm, which greatly influenced both his contemporaries and later composers.
Arcangelo Corelli: Arcangelo Corelli was an influential Italian violinist and composer from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, known for his contributions to the development of instrumental music during the Baroque period. His work laid the groundwork for the concerto grosso and sonata forms, showcasing the key characteristics of Baroque music, such as expressiveness and structural clarity.
Basso continuo: Basso continuo, often referred to as thoroughbass, is a form of musical accompaniment used in Baroque music where a bass line is played alongside harmonies, typically realized by a keyboard or lute player. This practice became a defining characteristic of the Baroque era, providing a harmonic foundation for various musical forms and styles.
Cadences: Cadences are melodic or harmonic configurations that signal the end of a musical phrase or section. They serve as crucial structural elements in music, guiding the listener's expectations and providing a sense of resolution or pause. In the context of functional harmony, cadences help establish the tonal framework by reinforcing harmonic relationships and directing the flow of music from one chord to another.
Counterpoint: Counterpoint is a musical technique that involves the simultaneous combination of two or more independent melodies to create a harmonious texture. It is a fundamental aspect of Western music, especially prominent in the Baroque period, where it enhances the complexity and expressiveness of compositions.
Dominant: In music, the term 'dominant' refers to the fifth scale degree of a diatonic scale, which plays a crucial role in the development of functional harmony. It is significant because the dominant chord, built on this degree, creates tension that typically resolves to the tonic, forming a foundational aspect of Western tonal music. This relationship between the dominant and tonic chords is essential for establishing a sense of resolution and direction in compositions.
Emotional Expression: Emotional expression refers to the way feelings and emotions are conveyed through music, often influencing the listener's emotional response. During the development of functional harmony, composers began to use harmony not just for structural purposes but also to evoke specific emotions, creating a more profound connection between the music and the listener's feelings. This connection became a hallmark of musical composition in this period, allowing for a range of emotional experiences in performance and listening.
Functional Harmony: Functional harmony refers to the system of chord relationships and progressions that creates a sense of tonal direction and resolution in music, particularly during the Baroque and Classical periods. This concept emphasizes how chords function within a key, primarily through the establishment of a hierarchy among them that guides listeners' expectations. The use of functional harmony greatly influenced the development of musical forms and structures, allowing composers to create more cohesive and expressive works.
George Frideric Handel: George Frideric Handel was a German-born composer who became a key figure in the Baroque music scene, known for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions. His unique blend of German, Italian, and English musical styles helped shape the development of music during the Baroque period and beyond.
Harmonic Progressions: Harmonic progressions refer to the sequence of chords or harmonies that occur in a piece of music, guiding the listener through the tonal landscape. These progressions are foundational to functional harmony, as they create expectations and resolutions that are essential for establishing musical structure and emotional expression. Understanding harmonic progressions allows musicians and composers to manipulate tension and release, providing a framework for musical narrative.
Henry Purcell: Henry Purcell was an influential English composer of the late 17th century, known for his innovative contributions to opera, sacred music, and instrumental compositions. His work reflects the transition towards functional harmony, the evolution of English church music, and the flourishing of instrumental music during the Restoration period.
I-ii-v-i: The i-ii-v-i progression is a common chord progression in music that utilizes the tonic, supertonic, and dominant chords of a minor scale. This sequence creates a strong sense of resolution and tension, which is fundamental to functional harmony. It illustrates the relationship between different chords in a way that emphasizes movement and direction, crucial for developing harmonic language during the Baroque period and beyond.
I-iv-v-i: The i-iv-v-i progression is a common harmonic structure in music that utilizes the tonic (i), subdominant (iv), and dominant (v) chords, typically within a minor key. This progression is crucial in establishing functional harmony, as it creates a sense of tension and resolution through its movement between these chords. The i-iv-v-i sequence illustrates how harmony can support melodic content and express emotional depth, which became increasingly important during the development of functional harmony in music.
I-v-vi-iv-i: The i-v-vi-iv-i progression is a chord sequence commonly used in music that illustrates the movement between different tonalities, particularly in minor keys. This progression consists of the tonic (i), dominant (v), submediant (vi), and subdominant (iv) chords, creating a cycle that can evoke various emotional responses. Understanding this progression helps in grasping the concept of functional harmony, where chords serve specific roles in establishing a tonal center and leading the music forward.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period, renowned for his intricate compositions and mastery of various musical forms. His work exemplifies the complexity and emotional depth characteristic of Baroque music while also laying the groundwork for future musical developments.
Melody and Harmony: Melody refers to a sequence of musical notes that are perceived as a single entity, often creating the main theme of a piece. Harmony, on the other hand, involves the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to support and enhance the melody. Together, melody and harmony are fundamental components in music, especially during the period when functional harmony began to develop, allowing for more structured chord progressions and creating a richer musical experience.
Primary Chords: Primary chords are the three main chords in a key, specifically the I (tonic), IV (subdominant), and V (dominant) chords. These chords serve as the foundational building blocks of functional harmony, providing a sense of stability and direction in musical compositions. Their relationships and progressions form the basis for much of Western tonal music, establishing essential harmonic functions that support melody and structure.
Subdominant: The subdominant is the fourth scale degree of a diatonic scale and plays a crucial role in functional harmony. It serves as a point of departure and resolution in chord progressions, providing contrast to the dominant and tonic chords. In the context of harmonic functions, the subdominant often leads to the dominant, creating a tension that resolves back to the tonic, establishing a sense of movement and direction within a piece of music.
Tonal center: A tonal center, often referred to as the tonic or home pitch, is the note or chord around which a piece of music is organized. It serves as the foundation for melody and harmony, providing a sense of resolution and stability in musical compositions. Understanding the tonal center is crucial for grasping how functional harmony developed during the period from 1600 to 1750, as it influences chord progressions, key relationships, and the overall structure of musical works.
Tonic: The tonic is the first and primary note of a scale, serving as the home base for a musical piece. It establishes the key and provides a sense of resolution and stability, around which other notes and chords are organized. In functional harmony, the tonic plays a crucial role in defining the overall tonal structure and direction of a composition.