Harmonic devices
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify a range of harmonic devices and how they are used.
Key learning points
- Composers use various common harmonic devices to enhance harmony and create certain musical effects.
- Drones, pedals and ground bass are all determined by the bass parts and how they relate to the chords.
- Modulations are changes in key that can radically alter the mood of a piece of music.
- Suspensions are a specific type of dissonance that is used to create harmonic tension and resolution.
Keywords
Pedal - a bass note that stays the same while the chords change above it
Drone - a sustained sound that plays underneath other parts
Ground bass - a bass pattern that repeats while the upper parts develop above
Modulation - when the key changes during a piece of music
Suspension - when a note is held to play over a chord that it doesn’t fit with, creating dissonance
Common misconception
A modulation is when the chords don't use the tonic.
A modulation is actually when the tonic changes. Sometimes music can sound like it will modulate, but then it stays in the same key. For a true modulation, it must feel like the tonic itself has changed.
Teacher tip
Identifying how far something has modulated is a tough challenge for most pupils. Prioritise practising identifying if it has modulated, then if it has moved up or down keys. Identifying the specific distance of modulation is valuable, but not crucial at this level.
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