Unit 7-2: Embellishing Chords

Objectives

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

Spell and identify augmented triads and common-tone diminished 7th chords given a key.
Describe how augmented triads and common-tone diminished 7th chords are used in chord progressions.
Compose chord progressions and voice lead harmonies that incorporate augmented triads and common-tone diminished 7th chords.

Preparation for Class

Read:

Embellishing Chords (Lavengood, OMT)
Other Harmonic Concepts (Wilmoth, PopGrammar) - Just read the section on "Augmented Chords"

Watch

Songs that Use Augmented Chords
(David Bennett, 11 mins)

Songs that Use the Augmented Climb Chord Progression
(David Bennett, 11 mins)

Common Tone Diminished 7th Chords
(Dr. Kati Meyer, 8 mins)

Explore

Explore chord progressions with augumented chords and cto7 chords:

Chord Player: Practice building chord progressions in Chord Player that use augmented chords, trying out some of the progressions presented in the reading and videos.

In-Class Activities

Discussion

Augmented Chords: Study the examples of augmented chords in the anthology. Which are the two most common augmented chords you see? Which chords seem to most commonly come before or after these chords? Where are they used in the phrase? What is the aural effect of these chords? Why might an artist choose to use the chord? Complete the "Writing Progressions" activity based on your observations here.

Activities

Writing Progressions: Based on your observations about augmented chords in the anthology (see the discussion section above), compose a few chord progressions that incorporate augmented triads. Use at least one augmented dominant and one augmented tonic in a standard way. Either compose the progression from scratch or start with a given schema from Unit 3 to modify. Your progressions should be in different keys. Notate the chords with lead sheet and Roman numeral notation. If there's time, compose a 3- or 4-voice rhythmic accompaniment and a melody for your progression.
Analysis: Analyze examples from the anthology. Notate the Roman numerals and any schemata (or variations on schemata) that you recognize.
Harmonization: Have a classmate or your instructor select a melody from the anthology, but remove (or cover up) the chords. Harmonize the melody, incorporating at least one augmented triad. Write out a basic 3- or 4-way rhythmic accompaniment, then listen to your harmonization. Compare your harmonization to the original in the anthology.

Repertoire for Practice

Analysis: This section of the anthology includes examples from the repertoire with augmented chords and common-tone diminished 7ths.

Anthology: Augmented & ctº7 Chords

Assignment

This assignment includes practice for the final project.

Assignment 8-2: Worksheet

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Harmonic Sequences

Practice

Musition:
- - Chords: Level 9 (Aug Triads)
  - Chromatic Chords: Level 10 (cto7 chords)

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