Primary purpose of chart is to formulate a guide of vertical tensions

• All melodic movement cannot be depicted

• Limited to the recognition of modulation

• To the dominant chord because of dual role in music

: When preceding the tonic chord it creates an insistence for resolution : When used as a concluding chord of a phrase (semi-cadence) it is the

receipt of other active harmonies (temporarily responding as a concord)

• The 2^nd inversion of a tonic triad (major or minor) is also capable of a mixed evaluation

: In early polyphony the dissonant P4 made it a discord (G CE with G bass to C Root a P4)

: In Classical Period the tonic ⁶4 was frequently given rhythmic stress and duration (making it focal point of the cadence)

− This treatment makes it a concord

− Satisfaction is achieved at this point of the phrase (being followed by the ‘inevitable’ cadence)

: In the Modern Period the tonic ⁶4 is even used as a final cadence

− Does not provide the same ‘satisfaction’ of root position tonic

− But in contrast with preceding greater dissonance the effect is clearly a concord

Guide of Vertical Tension

Concords Dual-Purpose Chords Discords General Classical Period

• Tonic triad • Dominant triad • Triads containing the tritone:

VII and IIº and their inversions

• All diatonic triads in root position and 1^st Inversion

• Major or minor triads second inversion *

• 7^th chords containing one tritone: V7, IIø7, V9, VIIø7 and

their inversions

• Diatonic minor and major 7^th chords and their inversions *

• 7^th or 9^th containing two tritones: VIIº7, V-9; and

inversions

• Augmented 6^th chords &

inversions Late Romantic Period

adds

EXPANSION OF THE DIATONIC AND CHROMATIC TERTIARY HARMONIC STRUCTURE.CHORDS ARE SPACED ACCORDING TO THE NORMAL HARMONIC ASCENDENCY

• Extensions of the 9^th, natural 11^th or 13^th to minor 7^th chords

• Extensions to major 7^th chords and inversions *

• Extensions (#9, #11, 13) to dominant quality chords and

inversions major triads, generally forming

a major 2^nd cluster

• Minor 2^nd clusters • Clusters added to previously listed discords

• Limited use of poly-chords, generally within dominant

quality

* These dual-purpose chords are apt to represent concords in this later period

Guide of Vertical Tension

Concords Dual-Purpose Chords Discords Modern Style

adds

Intervallic Structures

COMPLETE OR INCOMPLETE CHORDS IN WHICH THE CHORD MEMBERS RETAIN A TONAL ASSOCIATION WITH A ROOT, BUT MAY BE SPACED WITHOUT REGARD TO THE TERTIARY ASCENDANCY

• Chords containing any number of added tones but

selected with a greater prominence of P5 & P4, 3^rd

and major 2^nd interval relationships

• Continues as the previous periods

• Chords which through vertical placement stress the discordant intervals of +7, 9,

-2

• Above discordant formation plus the tritone

• Polychords including the above

CHORDS BUILT UPON INTERVALS CHOSEN FOR THEIR NON-TRIADIC ASSOCIATIONS.THESE CHORDS STRESS THE INDEPENDENCE OF ALL TONES, RATHER THAN A GROUPING OF CHORD MEMBERS AROUND A

SINGLE ROOT.THEY MAY OR MAY NOT ARISE FROM THE TWELVE-TONE ROW.

• Perfect 5^th chords

• Any chord containing fewer discordant intervals than present in preceding harmony

may be felt as a concord

• Chords emanating from a 2^nd, 4^th, Tritone, 6^th, or M7^th,

and avoiding diatonic relationships

• Two-note interval groups, in pairs or separate, if discordant

and widely spaced in range also may create maximum

tension Not to be forgotten

• ^MELODIC AND RHYTHMIC TENSIONS PRESENT IN ADDITION TO THE VERTICAL CONCORDS AND DISCORDS

• ^ROOT PROGRESSIONS CREATE MOTION INTENDED FOR AN EVENTUAL RESOLUTION TO THE TONIC CHORD

• ^{MELODIC MOVEMENT}

− Has varying tensions within the diatonic scale

− Increases tension through chromatic use

− Causes increased vertical discords through the simultaneous sounding of non-harmonic tones (a single tone can cause tension by being out of context to prior harmonies

• ^SOME MELODIC MOVEMENT COMBINES INTERVALS THAT FORM CHORDAL ASSOCIATIONS.THESE GROUPS ARE EVALUATED TOGETHER FOR THEIR VERTICAL UNDERSTANDING

Guide To Vertical Tension Examples General Classical Period

Concords

Dual Purpose Chords

* *

Discords

Late Romantic Period

Expansion of the Diatonic & Chromatic Tertiary Harmonic Structures Added (Chord members are spaced according to the normal harmonic ascendency) Concords

Dual Purpose Chords

*

Discords

Impressionistic Period

Chords Containing Clusters Added Concords

Dual Purpose Chords

*

Modern Styles

Intervallic Structures Added

• Complete or incomplete chords in which the chord members retain a tonal association with a root, but may be spaced without regard to the tertiary ascendancy

Concords

Dual Purpose Chords

Continues as in previous periods Discords

• Chords built upon intervals chosen for their non-triadic associations. These chords stress the independence of all tones rather than a grouping of chord members around a single root. They

may or may not be from the twelve-tone row Concords

Any chord containing fewer discordant intervals than present in the preceding harmony, may be felt as a

concord

Discords

Chords emanating from a 2^nd, 4^th, Tritone, 6^th, or M7^th, and avoiding diatonic relationships

Two-note interval groups, in pairs or separate, if discordant and widely spaced in range, also may

create maximum tension

Not To Be Forgotten

• Melodic and rhythmic tensions are present in addition to the vertical concords & discords

• Root progressions create motion intended for an eventual resolution to the tonic chord

• Melodic Movement

Has varying

Causes increased vertical discords through the simultaneous sounding of non-harmonic tones. Even a single tone can cause tension by being out of context to prior harmonies

• Some melodic movement combines intervals that form chordal associations and are evaluated together for their vertical understanding

• Rhythmical motion can increase or decrease tension, regardless of the vertical sound. An accompanying range of dynamics may support either design

E. APPLICATION OF THE GUIDE:AGRAPHIC CHART OF TENSION

1 Chart is based upon staff – 5 lines, 4 spaces + 1 ledger line below