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Harmonic
analysis
So far, we have learned to analyze
individual chords. Now let's look at an entire composition (albeit,
a simple song) and analyze its harmony. The following steps can
serve as a guide for harmonic analysis of a composition.
1. |
Determine
the key and the mode. |
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Hint: The key signature
narrows the choice of keys to one major key and its relative
minor. Most compositions stress the tonic at the beginning of
a piece either by beginning on tonic or quickly progressing
from the dominant to tonic. Also, most compositions will end
on tonic. |
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2. |
Analyze
each chord in the respective key and indicate its position (root
or inversion). |
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This is really no different
from the analyses we did in Lessons 7 and 8 other than we will
be analyzing a chord progression rather than isolated chords.
If necessary, rewrite each chord in close root position. Label
each chord with the appropriate Roman numeral and figured bass. |
Analysis
of a melody with chordal accompaniment
"Bingo" is a tune most of you will
know. Notice the melody is in the treble clef and a chordal accompaniment
or harmonization is in the bass clef. Do a harmonic analysis of
this song: determine the key and mode and then label each chord
(bass clef) with a Roman numeral (and figured bass, if necessary,
to indicate inversions). Notice that almost every note of the melody
is part of the bass clef chord.
After you have completed your own harmonic
analysis, check it with the key.


Analysis
of 4-part harmony
The analysis of a composition in 4-part harmony is similar to what
you have already done. The major difference is that the harmony
is located on two staves rather than just one. The treble staff
includes two notes ("soprano" and "alto") while
the bass clef includes two notes ("tenor" and "bass").
Of course, that means there are four notes per chord, and yet a
triad has only three notes. As you study the chords below, you will
notice that in each chord there is one note that is "doubled."
For example, in the first chord there is a G in the bass as well
as in the soprano. Thus, the chord is a triad with only three separate
letter names for pitches. To analyze a composition in 4-part harmony,
it may help to determine the letter names of each chord and then
rewrite the chord on a single staff in close root position. Following
is the first chord of the "Doxology." I have labeled the
notes of the original chord, and then I rewrote the chord in close
root position.

Now determine the key of this piece and analyze each
of the chords within that key.
After you have completed your own harmonic
analysis, check it with the key.

  
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