Harmonic Progression and
Harmonic Rhythm
Chapter 10
Relationship of Chords
• Customary chord progressions
• Root relationships
Circle Progression
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Descending 5th or ascending 4th
Examples:
iii-vi
ii-V
V-I
Full diatonic circle
I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
Can be used in small sections as well
Example: I – IV – V – iii – vi – ii – V – I
Other Common Progressions
• Ascending 5ths and Descending 4ths
• Examples:
I-V IV-I ii-vi
• Used often at beginning of phrase
Other Common Progressions
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Ascending 2nds
Examples:
IV-V V-vi I-ii
Used to transition from one circle to another
Most common:
I – IV – V – I
Other Common Progressions
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Descending 3rds
Examples:
I-vi
vi-IV
Often used in series away from I
I – vi – IV – ii
IV-ii
The vii° Triad
• Dominant function
• Two pitches in common with V chord
• vii°⁶ – I substitute for V – I
The 2nd Inversion Tonic Chord
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Very unstable
Often seen in cadence
Viewed as decoration of V chord
I⁶₄ - V – I
ii – I⁶₄ - V – I is still circle progression
Repeated Chords
• Repeated chords do not reflect any
progression
• Example:
V–V
Harmonic Rhythm
• Defines the meter of the piece
• Sometimes one chord per measure
• If there is more than one chord per measure,
the chord changes on a strong beat
• When one chord extends over several
measures, it will change on a downbeat
• Some pieces will change chord every beat
Harmonizing a Chorale Phrase
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Half or authentic cadences only
Use circle progressions, especially at cadences
Harmonize each melody note
Include inversions and non-harmonics
Make the bass line as singable as possible
Don’t overuse as3 and ds2 progressions
Harmonizing a Folk Melody
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Determine the harmonic rhythm
Identify chord outlines in the melody line
Use circle progressions, especially at cadences
Use some sort of rhythmic pattern to outline
the chords