🎶Music Theory and Composition Unit 6 – Chord Progressions & Cadences

Key Concepts

• Chord progressions form the harmonic foundation of a musical composition and involve the movement from one chord to another
• Cadences are specific chord progressions that create a sense of resolution or tension at the end of a musical phrase or section
• Chords have different functions within a key, such as tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V), which contribute to the overall harmonic structure
• Common chord progressions, like I-IV-V-I or ii-V-I, are used frequently in various musical genres (pop, jazz, classical)
• Analyzing chord progressions involves identifying the chords, their functions, and the relationships between them to understand the harmonic structure of a piece
• Composing with chord progressions requires understanding how to create effective harmonic movement and resolution using different chord types and cadences
• Practical applications of chord progressions include songwriting, arranging, and improvisation in various musical styles
• Advanced techniques involve using secondary dominants, substitutions, and modulations to create more complex and interesting harmonic progressions

Chord Types and Functions

• Triads are the most basic type of chord, consisting of three notes stacked in thirds (root, third, and fifth) and can be major, minor, diminished, or augmented
• Seventh chords add an additional third above the triad, creating chords like major seventh (Cmaj7), dominant seventh (G7), minor seventh (Dm7), and half-diminished seventh (Bm7b5)
• Tonic chords (I and vi) provide a sense of stability and resolution, often used at the beginning and end of a phrase or section
• Subdominant chords (IV and ii) create a sense of movement away from the tonic and often precede the dominant chord
• Dominant chords (V and vii°) create tension and a strong pull back to the tonic, frequently used in cadences
  • The dominant seventh chord (V7) is particularly effective in creating a strong resolution to the tonic
• Diatonic chords are built using only the notes of a specific key, while non-diatonic chords (borrowed chords or secondary dominants) introduce notes outside the key for added color or tension
• Inversions occur when a chord is played with a note other than the root in the bass, such as first inversion (3rd in the bass) or second inversion (5th in the bass), which can smooth out the bass line and create different harmonic effects

Common Chord Progressions

• The I-IV-V-I progression is a fundamental progression found in countless songs across various genres (blues, rock, country)
• The ii-V-I progression is prevalent in jazz and often used for turnarounds and cadences
  • This progression can be extended to create longer sequences, such as iii-vi-ii-V-I or I-vi-ii-V
• The I-V-vi-IV progression, also known as the "pop progression," is commonly used in popular music and has been employed in numerous hit songs
• The I-vi-IV-V progression is another popular choice, offering a slight variation on the I-V-vi-IV progression
• The 12-bar blues progression (I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-I) forms the basis for many blues and rock songs
• Doo-wop progressions, such as I-vi-IV-V or I-vi-ii-V, were popular in the 1950s and early 1960s and are still used in contemporary music
• Chord progressions can be modified by substituting chords with similar functions, such as using iii instead of I or vi instead of IV, to create variety and interest

Cadences and Their Roles

• Authentic cadences involve the progression from the dominant (V) to the tonic (I) and provide a strong sense of resolution
  • Perfect authentic cadences (PAC) end with the tonic chord in root position and the melody on the tonic note, creating the strongest resolution
  • Imperfect authentic cadences (IAC) end with the tonic chord in an inversion or the melody on a note other than the tonic, creating a slightly weaker resolution
• Plagal cadences, also known as the "Amen cadence," move from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I) and provide a sense of conclusion or affirmation
• Half cadences end on the dominant chord (V), creating a sense of incompleteness or anticipation and are often used in the middle of a phrase or section
• Deceptive cadences, also called interrupted cadences, occur when the dominant chord (V) resolves to a chord other than the tonic, often the submediant (vi), creating a sense of surprise or prolongation
• Cadential 6/4 chords are a type of tonic chord in second inversion that often precede the dominant in a cadence, adding harmonic interest and emphasizing the resolution
• Cadences help define the structure of a musical composition by signaling the end of phrases, sections, or the entire piece and can be used to create different emotional effects, such as closure, tension, or surprise

Analyzing Chord Progressions

• Identify the key of the piece by examining the tonic chord and the presence of accidentals, which will determine the available diatonic chords
• Label each chord with its roman numeral (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°) based on its position within the key
  • Use uppercase numerals for major chords and lowercase for minor chords
  • Use a degree symbol (°) for diminished chords and a plus sign (+) for augmented chords
• Identify the function of each chord (tonic, subdominant, dominant) and its role in the progression
• Determine the presence of any non-diatonic chords, such as borrowed chords or secondary dominants, and label them accordingly (e.g., V/V for the secondary dominant of the dominant)
• Analyze the relationships between chords, such as common tones, voice leading, and harmonic rhythm (the rate at which chords change)
• Identify any cadences and their types (PAC, IAC, plagal, half, deceptive) to understand the structure and phrasing of the piece
• Consider the overall harmonic arc of the progression and how it contributes to the emotional content and tension/resolution of the music

Composing with Progressions

• Begin by selecting a key and establishing the tonic chord to provide a sense of home and stability
• Use common chord progressions as a starting point, such as I-IV-V-I or ii-V-I, and then experiment with variations and substitutions to create interest and originality
• Employ different cadences strategically to create a sense of phrasing and structure in your composition
  • Use perfect authentic cadences for strong resolutions at the end of sections
  • Use half cadences to create anticipation or to lead into a new section
  • Use deceptive cadences to add surprise or prolong the resolution
• Vary the harmonic rhythm to create different moods and textures, such as using longer chord durations for a sense of stability or shorter durations for a sense of movement and energy
• Use inversions to create smoother voice leading and bass lines, especially when connecting chords that are not adjacent in the key (e.g., I to vi or IV to ii)
• Incorporate non-diatonic chords, such as borrowed chords or secondary dominants, to add color, tension, and interest to your progressions
  • Use borrowed chords from the parallel minor key to create a sense of emotional depth or ambiguity
  • Use secondary dominants to create stronger resolutions and to temporarily tonicize other chords in the key
• Consider the relationship between the chord progression and the melody, ensuring that the harmony supports and enhances the melodic content
• Analyze and study chord progressions from existing music in various genres to gain inspiration and understanding of effective harmonic techniques

Practical Applications

• In songwriting, chord progressions form the foundation of the harmonic structure and can be used to evoke different emotions, support the lyrics, and create memorable hooks
• When arranging music for various ensembles (e.g., choir, orchestra, band), understanding chord progressions allows you to create effective harmonizations, voicings, and accompaniments
• In jazz and other improvisational genres, knowing common chord progressions is essential for creating coherent and expressive solos and for communicating with other musicians
• Chord progressions are crucial in film and video game scoring, as they help to underscore the emotional content of the visuals and create a sense of narrative arc
• In music production and sound design, chord progressions can be used to create interesting harmonic textures and layers, adding depth and complexity to electronic and experimental music
• Understanding chord progressions is valuable for music educators, as it allows them to explain harmonic concepts to students and to analyze and select appropriate repertoire for teaching purposes
• In music therapy, chord progressions can be used to create specific moods and emotional responses, aiding in the therapeutic process and supporting the client's well-being

Advanced Techniques

• Modulation involves changing from one key to another within a composition, which can be achieved through various techniques such as pivot chords, direct modulation, or chromatic modulation
  • Pivot chord modulation uses a chord that is common to both the original key and the new key as a bridge to smoothly transition between them
  • Direct modulation involves abruptly shifting to the new key without any preparation, creating a sense of surprise or drama
  • Chromatic modulation uses chromatic chords or sequences to gradually lead from one key to another, creating a sense of tension and release
• Modal interchange involves borrowing chords from the parallel modes of a key (e.g., using chords from C minor in a C major progression) to create a sense of emotional ambiguity or color
• Pedal points are sustained notes, typically in the bass, that are held while other chords change above them, creating a sense of tension, stability, or anticipation
  • Tonic pedal points emphasize the stability of the key, while dominant pedal points create tension and anticipation of a resolution
• Suspended chords, such as sus2 or sus4, are created by replacing the third of a chord with the second or fourth scale degree, respectively, creating a sense of ambiguity or tension that can be resolved by returning to the original chord
• Polychords are created by playing two or more chords simultaneously, often from different keys or tonalities, creating a sense of harmonic complexity and tension
• Nonfunctional harmony involves using chords or progressions that do not adhere to traditional functional relationships (tonic, subdominant, dominant), creating a sense of ambiguity, tension, or atmospheric texture
  • Parallelism, such as parallel fifths or octaves, can be used to create a sense of motion or intensity, particularly in modern or experimental styles
• Neo-Riemannian theory explores relationships between triads based on voice-leading and transformations, providing alternative ways of understanding and analyzing chord progressions beyond traditional functional harmony