key term - Secondary Leading Tone Chords

Definition

Secondary leading tone chords are diminished triads built on the seventh scale degree of a diatonic scale, functioning as a predominant chord that resolves to a chord other than the tonic. These chords create a temporary sense of tonicization, allowing composers to emphasize a particular chord or key area within a progression. By using these chords, harmony can become more complex and interesting, enhancing voice leading and enriching the overall musical texture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secondary leading tone chords are typically labeled with Roman numerals that indicate their function relative to the new key they tonicize, such as vii°/ii for the leading tone chord of the ii chord.
2. These chords often resolve to their corresponding tonic chords, creating a smooth transition and strengthening the harmonic progression.
3. In common practice, secondary leading tone chords can appear in both major and minor keys, enhancing the richness of harmonic language in different musical styles.
4. When part writing secondary leading tone chords, it is crucial to follow proper voice leading rules to ensure smooth connections between chords while resolving the diminished triad correctly.
5. Secondary leading tone chords can be used in sequence or in combination with other harmonic devices to create intricate musical phrases that guide listeners through varying tonal centers.

Review Questions

• How do secondary leading tone chords function in terms of harmony and voice leading?
  • Secondary leading tone chords serve as predominant chords that lead to a tonicized chord, helping to establish temporary tonal centers. In terms of voice leading, it's essential to resolve these diminished triads smoothly by ensuring that voices move stepwise and minimize leaps, which supports coherent harmonic progressions. This enhances the overall flow of the music and makes the transitions between different key areas more seamless.
• In what ways do secondary leading tone chords contribute to tonicization within a harmonic progression?
  • Secondary leading tone chords contribute to tonicization by allowing composers to momentarily treat non-tonic chords as if they were tonics. By introducing these diminished triads before a target chord, the music creates a heightened sense of expectation and resolution. This technique enriches harmonic language and provides opportunities for modulation without full key changes, making it a valuable tool for composers looking to add complexity and depth to their music.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using secondary leading tone chords in creating tension and release within musical compositions.
  • Using secondary leading tone chords is highly effective for creating tension and release in musical compositions. The inherent dissonance of the diminished triad generates anticipation as it leads into its target tonic chord. This push-and-pull dynamic enhances emotional expression and engages listeners by guiding them through varying degrees of harmonic intensity. By strategically placing these chords within progressions, composers can evoke strong feelings and maintain interest throughout their pieces.

Related terms

Tonicization:

The process of temporarily treating a chord other than the tonic as the tonic through various harmonic techniques, creating a brief modulation effect.

Diminished Triad: A three-note chord made up of two minor thirds stacked on top of each other, often used in secondary leading tone chords and serving to create tension.

Voice Leading:

The practice of composing smooth, connected melodies between chords by considering the individual movement of each voice within a harmonic progression.