Unit 5: The Phrase Model and Predominant Harmonies

Phrase Model

A model that dictates the logical flow of chord progressions that establish a key.

Tonic (T)

Establishes stability in the harmonic progression, represented as $I$ (major) or $i$ (minor).

Predominant (PD)

Chords that prepare the dominant, typically $IV$, $iv$, $ii$, or $ii^ullet$.

Dominant (D)

Creates maximum tension requiring resolution, represented as $V$ or $V^7$.

Cadence

A sequence of chords that brings a phrase of music to a close.

Subdominant Chord

A chord built on the 4th scale degree, either $IV$ (major) or $iv$ (minor).

Quality of Subdominant Chord in Major Keys

Major triad ($IV$) used in the key of C major as D - F - A.

Quality of Subdominant Chord in Minor Keys

Minor triad ($iv$) used in the key of C minor as D - F - A♭.

Plagal Cadence

A progression from the Subdominant ($IV$) to Tonic ($I$), known as the 'Amen' cadence.

Voice Leading IV to V

Danger of creating Parallel 5ths and Parallel 8ves when moving from $IV$ to $V$.

Contrary Motion

The preferred voice leading technique when moving from $IV$ to $V$ to avoid parallelism.

Supertonic Chord ($ii$ and $ii^ullet$)

A triad built on the 2nd scale degree, functioning as a stronger predominant than the subdominant.

Supertonic in Major Key

Minor triad represented as $ii$ (D - F - A) in the key of C major.

Supertonic in Minor Key

Diminished triad represented as $ii^ullet$ (D - F - A♭) in the key of C minor.

First Inversion Supertonic

Commonly used $ii^6$ for the supertonic chord, especially in minor keys.

Doubling Rules for ii^6

Double the bass (the third of the chord) for smooth voice leading.

Cadential Six-Four Chord

A $I^6_4$ chord that functions as dominant harmony, delaying the arrival of dominant tones.

Notation for Cadential Six-Four

Often analyzed as $V^{6-5}_{4-3}$, indicating its dominant function.

Resolution of Cadential Six-Four

Requires the 6th above the bass and the 4th above the bass to resolve down appropriately.

Common Tone Retention

Technique used in voice leading from $ii$ to $V$ to maintain the shared tone between the two chords.

Handling Seventh Chords

The seventh of a supertonic seventh chord must resolve down by step in progression to the dominant.

Harmonic Progression Basic Structure

The basic chord sequence: $I - IV - V - I$.

Stronger Root Motion Progression

Progression sequence that includes $I - ii^6 - V - I$.

AP Progression Classic Extension

The complete progression: $I - ii^6 - I^6_4 - V - I$.

Minor Key Progression

The sequence $i - iv - V - i$ or $i - ii^{ullet6} - V - i$.

Parallel 5ths/8ves Mistake

Occurs when voices move upward concurrently while the bass moves from $IV$ to $V$.

Corrective Action for Parallelism

Use contrary motion for voices when the bass moves up from $IV$ to $V$.

Improper Doubling in ii^6

Mistake of doubling the root in first inversion supertonic chord; should double the bass.

Mislabeling I^6_4

Mistake of labeling $I^6_4$ as tonic; should be recognized as part of the dominant block.

Leading Tone Mistake in Minor

Failure to raise the leading tone (scale degree 7) in the dominant chord in minor keys.

Root Position ii^ullet

Mistake of using the diminished supertonic triad in root position instead of first inversion.

Diminished Triads

Should almost always be in first inversion ($ii^{ullet6}$) to reduce dissonance perception.

Harmonic Minor Scale

A minor scale that raises the 7th scale degree to create a major dominant chord.

Stepwise Motion

Voice leading method of moving voices to the nearest chord tones.

Bass Movement

Refers to the action of the lowest voice part in a chord progression.

Upper Voices

The Soprano, Alto, and Tenor voices that harmonize above the bass.

Consonant Interval

An interval that sounds stable and pleasant, often used in voice leading.

Chord Function

The role a chord plays in a progression, such as tonic, predominant, or dominant.

Key Establishment

The process of defining the tonal center within a piece of music.

Chord Progression

A sequence of chords that reinforces the harmonic framework in music.

Tension and Resolution

The musical concept of creating stress through dissonance followed by a satisfying consonance.