EPISODE 109
HARMONIC PROGRESSION PT. 9
(VII / IV, VII / VII)

HOST- Jeremy Burns, Matthew Scott Phillips

GENRE- Ear Training

DURATION- 98:00

BUMPER MUSIC- "Hey Lonely Guy" (Area 47 Music)

ANNOUNCER- Mike Cunliffe

LISTEN

DESCRIPTION

Continuing where episode 98 left off, we will top off our ear training of secondary seven chords. We will listen how to tonicize the IV chord (in major and minor) and the VII chord in (minor). Then, we will test our ears with some chord progressions...a.k.a. Jeremy Torture!

KEYWORDS

DIATONIC- When a triad, chord or melody consists of notes solely from the given key, it is considered to be DIATONIC.

TONIC ( I )- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree 1 of the given key.

SUPERTONIC ( ii )- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree 2 of the given key.

MEDIANT ( iii )- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree 3 of the given key.

SUBDOMINANT ( IV )- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree 4 of the given key.

DOMINANT ( V )- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree 5 of the given key.

SUBMEDIANT ( vi )- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree 6 of the given key.

SUBTONIC ( VII )- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree b7 of the given key.

LEADING TONE ( vii°)- A note in a melody or a chord in a progression based on scale degree 7 of the major key or #7 of a minor key.

SEVENTH (7)- This would be the 4th chord tone added to a TRIAD. It will be a 7th above the root of the given chord. It can be major, minor, augmented or diminished.

SECONDARY DOMINANT ( V/ )- This chord can act as a dominant function to a chord other than the tonic.

SECONDARY LEADING TONE ( viiº/ )- This chord can act as a leading tone function to a chord other than the tonic.

*It should be noted that all the above Roman numeral examples given were shown as uppercase (major) or lowercase (minor) as they relate to the MAJOR SCALE, as seen below:
I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii° - I

In the MINOR SCALE, the diatonic chords will be built as seen below:
i - ii° - III - iv - v - VI - VII - i


EXAMPLES

The following examples reflect the opening examples on episode 109. Though the arrangement of notes may not be 100% accurate, the progressions will be the same.

Viiº of IV (viiº / IV) IN MAJOR


-See the chord in measure 2. This chord is a diminished chord built on scale degree 3 (E). Normally, in C major, the chord built on scale degree 3 would be E minor (E-G-B). We have flatted the 5th of that chord to create an E diminished chord (E-G-Bb).

-This chord is now acting as a secondary seven chord of IV (viiº/IV). And, in true fashion, it resolves to that IV chord (F major) in measure 3.


viiº of iv (viiº / iv) IN MINOR


-The viiº/iv, in G minor, appears in measure 2. This chord is a diminished chord built on scale degree natural 3 (B), that resolves to scale degree 4 (C). We use B natural instead of Bb (diatonic to G minor) because it needs to act as a leading tone to the iv chord (C minor) that follows in measure 3.


viiº of VII (viiº / VII) IN MINOR


-The chord in measure 3 is a diminished chord (Aº) built on a natural scale degree 6 (A). In C minor this would normally be an Ab. But we have raised it to A natural so it can act as a leading to the VII chord (Bb major) that follows in measure 4. We have TONICIZED this VIl chord!


LET'S LISTEN

Let's take four listens to identify this chord progression. Below is a good strategy on how to use your listens wisely for each time the progression is played.

1st LISTEN- THE BASS


Use this listen to focus on the bass line. In our first example, we hear the following scale degrees in the bass, beginning with scale degree 1. We are in the key of C. So this will be a C note:
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 1
Notate it!


2nd LISTEN- THE HIGHEST NOTE


Use this listen to focus on the melody, or the soprano voice. When you hear that note, try to identify what scale degree it is and where it goes from there. Sometimes singing (in your head), from the identified note down to the the tonic, can help zero in on what scale degree it is. In this case, we hear that scale degree 1 begins the following progression in the highest voice:
1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 7 - 1
Notate it!


3rd LISTEN- THE THEORY BRAIN

Something harmonic is coming together! We now have enough information to ENGAGE OUR THEORY BRAIN and start making educated guesses at how this progression might develop. Now, we will listen for chord qualities. Here's an example of the process:


-1st Chord- sounds major, we have two C's. We're in C major. Let's presume this to be a C major chord (I).

2nd Chord- sounds minor. We have two D's (scale degree 2). Let's presume this to be a D minor chord (ii).

3rd Chord- sounds weird! We have a D and an E. We'll put a question mark by it. But we know these two notes could members of an Eø (half-dimished) chord.

4th Chord- sounds major. We have an F and a C. These are both in F major (IV) Let's presume this to be an F major chord (IV).

5th Chord- sounds major. We have a G and a B. These are both in G major (V) Let's presume this to be a G major chord (V).

6th Chord- sounds major. We have two C's. These are both in C major (I). It feels final! Let's presume this to be a C major chord (I).

4th LISTEN-CONFIRMATION


Ideally, this listen will be your confirmation listen. Check out all the voices you filled in and make sure they make sense with what you're hearing. Here's what it will look like:

NOW LISTEN AS WE APPLY THIS APPROACH TO THE NEXT EXAMPLES

THINGS TO REMEMBER

-When trying to determine which scale degree is in the highest voice, try singing down the scale from that note. If you feel you've reached the TONIC on the 3rd note down, that note is the 3rd. If you can keep going, perhaps not.

-Try practicing progressions using these chords, using CHORALE or KEYBOARD styles.

-Don't neglect the MINOR keys while working on these progressions.

-Try to get good at singing "in your head" or to your self. When you hear a chord, try to arpeggiate the notes in your head.

-Try to get good at identifying the bass lines when listening to music. These will be the first that you will want to identify when taking your listening exams.

-Budget your listens wisely. First identify the lowest notes. Second, identify the highest notes. Use the third listen to engage your theory brain and then the fourth to confirm.