Harmonic Progression

Definition

Harmonic progression refers to the sequence of chords that underlie a piece of music, guiding the movement from one chord to another in a coherent manner. It forms the backbone of tonal music, establishing relationships between chords and contributing to the overall structure and emotional impact of a composition. Understanding harmonic progression is crucial as it influences melodic contour, supports voice leading in four-part writing, and provides a foundation for counterpoint techniques.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Harmonic progressions are typically built on the relationships between triads and seventh chords, following functional patterns such as the circle of fifths.
2. Common progressions like I-IV-V-I serve as foundational frameworks in Western tonal music, creating tension and resolution that guide listeners through a piece.
3. The use of chromaticism can add complexity and color to harmonic progressions, allowing for more expressive movement between chords.
4. In four-part writing, careful attention to harmonic progression ensures smooth voice leading and prevents parallel fifths and octaves, which can disrupt the texture.
5. In species counterpoint, harmonic progression is essential in determining how lines interact; each species focuses on different ways to combine melodies while respecting the underlying harmony.

Review Questions

• How does harmonic progression affect melodic contour in a piece of music?
  • Harmonic progression impacts melodic contour by providing a framework within which melodies are created. The movement from one chord to another shapes the direction and shape of the melody, influencing tension and release. As the harmony changes, it can lead to variations in melodic line, dictating how notes are approached and resolved in relation to the underlying chords.
• What considerations must be taken into account when writing four-part harmonies to ensure effective harmonic progressions?
  • When writing four-part harmonies, it’s important to ensure that each voice moves smoothly and maintains proper spacing between parts. Harmonic progressions must be carefully constructed to avoid dissonances that are not resolved appropriately. Additionally, attention must be paid to chord functions and voice leading principles to create coherent transitions between chords while preventing issues such as parallel fifths or octaves.
• Evaluate the role of harmonic progression in species counterpoint and its effect on melodic interaction.
  • In species counterpoint, harmonic progression is pivotal in defining how two or more melodies interact harmonically. Each species dictates specific rules for consonance and dissonance, which are guided by the underlying harmonic framework. By evaluating these progressions, composers can craft intricate interactions between melodies that highlight their independence while still adhering to cohesive harmonic relationships, ultimately enriching the overall musical texture.

Related terms

Chord Function: The role that a chord plays within a key, such as tonic, dominant, or subdominant, which affects how it resolves within a harmonic progression.

Voice Leading:

The smooth movement of individual musical lines or voices from one note to another, which is essential for maintaining coherence in harmonic progressions.

Cadence:

A melodic or harmonic configuration that creates a sense of resolution or pause, often marking the end of a phrase or section within a harmonic progression.