key term - Fully Diminished Seventh Chords

Definition

Fully diminished seventh chords are composed of a root, a minor third, a diminished fifth, and a diminished seventh. These chords are notable for their symmetrical structure, as each note is separated by a minor third, which results in a distinctive tension-filled sound. This type of chord often functions as a secondary leading tone chord, leading to a tonicization of the following chord, enhancing harmonic movement and creating moments of resolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A fully diminished seventh chord is built using the root note, and then stacking minor thirds on top to create its four notes.
2. The diminished seventh interval creates an unstable sound that typically resolves upward by half step to the following chord's root.
3. Fully diminished seventh chords can be enharmonically reinterpreted, meaning they can be viewed as different chords depending on their context within a progression.
4. In a harmonic context, fully diminished seventh chords often lead to either the tonic of the original key or the tonic of a closely related key.
5. These chords are commonly found in classical music but are also frequently used in jazz and other contemporary genres to add color and complexity.

Review Questions

• How do fully diminished seventh chords function within harmonic progressions and what is their typical resolution?
  • Fully diminished seventh chords create tension in harmonic progressions due to their dissonant intervals. They often function as secondary leading tone chords that lead to tonicization. The typical resolution occurs when they move up by half step to a root note of the chord they are resolving to, often landing on a tonic chord in either the original or closely related key.
• Discuss how fully diminished seventh chords can be enharmonically reinterpreted and provide an example.
  • Enharmonic reinterpretation occurs when a fully diminished seventh chord can be seen as different chords based on its context. For instance, the C°7 chord (C, Eb, Gb, B) can be interpreted as a B7 chord (B, D#, F#, A) in terms of its function, depending on which chord it resolves to next. This flexibility allows composers to create smoother transitions between various harmonic areas while maintaining harmonic interest.
• Evaluate the role of fully diminished seventh chords in contemporary music styles compared to classical traditions.
  • In contemporary music styles like jazz, fully diminished seventh chords are often used for their complex sound and ability to add color and tension to progressions. Unlike classical traditions where they primarily functioned in strict resolutions toward tonal centers, contemporary compositions frequently utilize them in more abstract ways, allowing for unconventional resolutions and explorations of dissonance. This shift reflects broader musical trends towards improvisation and emotional expression, showcasing the versatility of fully diminished seventh chords across genres.

Related terms

Leading Tone:

The seventh scale degree of a diatonic scale, which creates a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic.

Tonicization:

The process of temporarily establishing a chord as the tonic through the use of secondary dominant or leading tone chords.

Secondary Dominant Chord: A dominant seventh chord that resolves to a diatonic chord other than the tonic, creating tension and leading to tonicization.