Embedded Files
Objectives
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Spell and identify augmented 6th chords, including Italian, French, and German variants, using Roman numerals and chord symbols in various keys, recognizing the characteristic intervals and voice leading tendencies.
Describe the construction and function of augmented 6th chords, including their resolution to the dominant and the voice leading involved. Explain the differences between Italian, French, and German augmented 6th chords, providing examples from the repertoire.
Analyze musical excerpts to identify the use of augmented 6th chords. Determine the type of augmented 6th chord used and discuss its harmonic context and how it contributes to the progression.
Compare and contrast the use of augmented 6th chords with other chromatic pre-dominant chords discussed in Lessons 3-1 and 3-2. Evaluate their roles and effectiveness in different musical contexts.
Compose a short harmonic progression and harmonize melodies incorporating augmented 6th chords, demonstrating an understanding of their function, construction, voice leading, and resolution.
Preparation for Class
Preparation for Class
Read:
Read:
Augmented Sixth Chords (Multimodal Musicianship)
Optional Additional Reading: Augmented Sixth Chords, pp. 377–386 (Theory for Today's Musician) - Available online through the library
Watch
Watch
Augmented 6th Chord
(Dr. Kati Meyer, 9 mins)
Augmented 6th Chord
(Dr. Kati Meyer, 9 mins)
Augmented Sixth Chords
(Seth Monahan, 33 mins)
Augmented Sixth Chords
(Seth Monahan, 33 mins)
Explore
Explore
Chord Player. Experiment with strings of chord progressions that include Augmented 6th chords. A pre-loaded model is provided for each of the progressions below. Try editing these or making your own.
| I | ii65 | Ger+6 | Cad64 V7 | [Link]
| I | ii65 | It+6 | V7 | [Link]
| I | ii65 | Fr+6 | V7 | [Link]
Click on “Edit all” (bottom right) to edit the lead sheet notation. Click on “Style” (top middle) to change the musical style.
Study Aids
Study Aids
Chord Review
Check out the Chord Review page on Kaitlin Bove's site for a good summary of all of the new chromatic chord types discussed this semester on one page.
Types of Augmented 6th Chords and Scale Degrees
(Source: Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom)
Examples of 4-Part Voiceleading for Augmented 6th Chords
(Source: Stephen Emmons, “Chromatic Harmony 2 and 20th Century Music,” Survey of Music Theory for the College Classroom.
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Discussion
Discussion
Identification and Spelling: How do you spell and identify Italian, French, and German augmented 6th chords using Roman numerals and chord symbols? Which scale degrees are included in all 3? What differentiates each?
Chord Function: How do Augmented 6th chords typically function in Western art music? What chord(s) typically follow each? What are some of the voice-leading considerations?
Comparative Analysis: Compare and contrast the use of augmented 6th chords with other chromatic pre-dominant chords discussed in Lesson 3-1 and 3-2. Evaluate their roles and effectiveness in different musical contexts, citing examples from the repertoire.
Activities
Activities
Worksheets: Check out the worksheets below for extra practice.
Chord Spelling, Analysis, Partwriting: See Exercises 42-1, 2, 7, and 8 from the Multimodal Musicianship reading here.
Analysis: Short excerpts by Joseph Boulogne and John Thomas Douglass. Worksheet: PDF | Solution (from Diverse Music Theory Examples)
Spelling, Part-writing, Analysis: PDF | Docx | Audio 1 and 2 (from Open Music Theory)
Mixed Practice: Spelling, ID, Analysis, Composition
Set 2: See pp. 261–267 in the online workbook for Theory for Today's Musician (available online through the library)
Set 3: Practice exercises (with solutions) and a worksheet (Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom)
Set 4: Includes hints and solutions. See Activities 32-1...6 here (from Fundamentals, Function, and Form)
Composition: Compose a chord progression that incorporates an augmented 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 and a melody to your chord progression.
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 an augmented sixth. Discuss strategies for incorporating these chords into your compositions. Sample anthology sections are here and here.
Repertoire for Practice
Repertoire for Practice
Full Score Analysis: Louise Reichardt, “Poesia di Metastasio (I)” No. 5 from Zwölf Deutsche und Italiänische Romantische Gesänge (1811).
Anthology: Select examples from the anthology for listening and analysis.
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Augmented 6ths look like a chord commonly used in jazz called a tritone substitution. What's the difference? Check out this short video or more detailed discussion in Biamonte's MTO article below or check out the NYU Pop Theory page on tritone subs.
Biamonte, Nicole. “Augmented-Sixth Chords vs. Tritone Substitutes.” Music Theory Online 14, no. 2 (2008).
Tritone Subs vs. Augmented 6ths
(2-Min Music Theory, 8 mins)
Practice
Practice
Musition: [levels]
Auralia: [levels]
Page updated
Report abuse