Unit 3-2: Neapolitan Sixth (♭II)

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Spell and identify Neapolitan 6th chords using Roman numerals and chord symbols in various keys, recognizing the lowered second scale degree and its context within a harmonic progression.
Describe the function and voice leading of Neapolitan 6th chords in relation to their role as pre-dominants, and explain their typical resolutions to the dominant in both major and minor keys, providing examples from the repertoire.
Analyze musical excerpts to identify the use of Neapolitan 6th chords, discussing their harmonic context and how they contribute to the overall expressive quality of the piece.
Compose a short harmonic progression and harmonize melodies incorporating Neapolitan 6th chords demonstrating an understanding of function, voice leading, and resolution.

Preparation for Class

Read:

Neapolitan Sixth (Multimodal Musicianship)
Optional Additional Readings:
- - The Neapolitan Sixth Chord, pp. 369–377 (Theory for Today's Musician) - Available online through the library
  - The Neapolitan ♭II Chord - A quick voice-leading summary and Lionel Richie analysis with ♭II (Kaitlin Bove)

Watch

The Neapolitan Sixth
(Seth Monahan, 35 mins)

The 'NEAPOLITAN 6' chord
(Creatively eXplained, 5 mins)

Explore

Chord Player. Experiment with strings of chord progressions that include ♭II chords. A pre-loaded model is provided for each of the progressions below. Try editing these or making your own.

| I vi | ii6 V7 | I vi | ♭II6 V7 | [Link]

| i ♭VI | iiº6 V7 | i ♭VI | ♭II6 V7 | [Link]

Click on “Edit all” (bottom right) to edit the lead sheet notation. Click on “Style” (top middle) to change the musical style.

References

Voiceleading a ♭II Chord
(Source: Anthology Fesmire, "Partwriting with the Neapolitan Sixth")

Additional Voice Leading Examples

(Source: Stephen Emmons, “Chromatic Harmony 2 and 20th Century Music,” Survey of Music Theory for the College Classroom.

In-Class Activities

Discussion

Identification and Spelling: How do you spell and identify a Neapolitan 6th chord in different keys using Roman numerals and chord symbols? Which scale degrees are altered in major and in minor?
Chord Function: How do Neapolitan 6th chords typically function in Western art music? What chord(s) typically follow a Neapolitan 6th? What are some of the voice-leading considerations? Do these chords typically occur in major or minor? Why?

Activities

Worksheets: Check out the worksheets below for extra practice.
- - Chord Spelling, Analysis, Partwriting: See Exercises 41-1, 2, 3, and 4 from the Multimodal Musicianship reading here.
  - Analysis: Short excerpts by Agustin Barrios, Clara Schumann, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Worksheet: PDF | Solution (from Diverse Music Theory Examples)
  - Part-writing and Analysis: PDF | Docx (from Open Music Theory)
  - Mixed Practice: Spelling, ID, Analysis, Composition
    - - Set 1: See pp. 253–260 in the online workbook for Theory for Today's Musician (available online through the library)
      - Set 2: Practice exercises (with solutions) and a worksheet (Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom)
      - Set 3: Includes hints and solutions. See Activities 31-1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 here. (from Fundamentals, Function, and Form)
      - Set 4: Practice with both borrowed and Neapolitan Chords: Worksheet 1 and Worksheet 2 (from A Survey of Music Theory for the College Classroom)
Composition: Compose a chord progression that incorporates a Neapolitan sixth, then part-write the progression in 4-part keyboard or chorale style. Swap with a partner to check voice leading. If there's time, add texture to your chord progression and a melody.
- - Find ideas for accompanimental textures in the anthology here.
Recomposition: Pick examples from the Music Theory Anthology that use diatonic progressions. Rewrite each excerpt to include a Neapolitan sixth. Discuss strategies for incorporating or substituting the Neapolitan sixth for other predominants. Listen to the reharmonizations as compared to the originals. How does it change the way you hear the music? Sample anthology sections are here and here.

Repertoire for Practice

♭II Chords: Select examples from the anthology for listening and analysis.

Anthology: ♭II Chords

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Augmented 6ths

Want to learn more?

Check out this video by F. S. Eron to explore some of the different ways that ♭II chords are used in popular music.

Source: F. S. Eron F.S., “Flat 2 as Hotness in Post-Millennial Pop,” SMT-V, Volume 8.5 (2022)

Practice

Musition: [levels]
Auralia: [levels]

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