Music Theory III (Kreeger)

Chapter 4: When Harmony, Melody, and Rhythm Converge

—Tonal Harmony in Music—

As musicians, we spend a lot of time determining the relative importance of individual musical
events and how these events impact each other. One of the most helpful criteria we use to
determine musically important moments is whether an event is dissonant or consonant.

Dissonant intervals—with their harmonic and melodic instability—provide musical tension and
energy.

Imperfect vs. Perfect consonances:

Imperfect: 3rds, 6ths
Perfect: 1, 5, 8
(*Note: the 4th is considered dissonant)

—Embellishing Tones—
Nonchord Tones—a pitch that is not a member of the prevailing harmony.

Neighboring Tones, Chordal Leaps, and Arpeggiations

Neighbor Tone (NT)—a stepwise ascent or descent from a chord tone, followed by a change in
direction and return to the initial chord tone.

Arpeggiation (ARP)—consonant leaps that occur in the same direction and include all members of
the triad or seventh chord.

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 —The Important of Context in Analysis—

“Der Lindenbaum,” from Winterreise, D. 911 (melody only)—Franz Schubert (1797–1828)

“Der Lindenbaum,” from Winterreise, D. 911—Franz Schubert

—Reducing—

Sonata for Solo Violin in G minor, BWV 1001—J. S. Bach (1685–1750):