12. Passing 6/4 Chords

Introduction to Repetition and Voice Exchange

In this section, the concept of repetition in chord composition is introduced. The technique of voice exchange, where voices trade places within a single chord, is explained as a way to enliven repetition.

Repetition and Voice Exchange

• Repetition is a common way of composing chords over time.

• Voice exchange involves having voices trade places within a single chord.

• This technique typically occurs between voices that are a third apart.

• Voice exchange can be used as a contrapuntal basis for composition.

Tonic Prolongation and Passing Tones

This section explores the concept of tonic prolongation and how passing tones can be used to create additional movement in the music.

Tonic Prolongation and Passing Tones

• Tonic prolongation involves the base and soprano trading places as the music progresses from 1 to 1 6.

• Passing tones can be used to fill the space between chords, creating an offbeat sonority similar to a five chord in second inversion.

• Adding a lower neighbor tone in the tenor creates a genuine 564 progression.

Predominant Harmony and Passing Chords

This section discusses how voice exchange can be used between different chords, such as 4 and 4 6 or 2 and 2 6, resulting in a prolongation of predominant harmony. It also explains how passing six-four progressions can be used in reverse.

Predominant Harmony and Passing Chords

• Voice exchange can be used between different chords to prolong predominant harmony instead of tonic harmony.

• Passing six-four progressions can also be used in reverse, such as one six five six four one.

• Passing chords generally occur on weak beats and serve as connective harmonic tissue.

Well-Directed Progressions

This section explores how well-directed progressions can be created by focusing on tonic prolongation and predominant prolongation before approaching a cadential dominant.

Well-Directed Progressions

• By prolonging tonic and predominant harmonies, well-directed progressions can be created.

• The progression starts with a tonic prolongation, followed by a predominant prolongation, and finally approaches a cadential dominant.

Timestamps are provided for each section to help locate the corresponding part of the video.