Music Theory for Recorder: Intervals/Chords
On this page we will start out with the concept of the interval. From there we will expand into chords, starting with three-note chords and then four-note chords. We will also introduce the basic concepts of harmonization. Other topics include the inversion of intervals and chords, modulation, and cadences.
It is highly recommended to work your way through this page starting at the top, as each installment builds on the previous one. It is also recommended that you consult the NOTES where you will find more detailed information regarding these topics.
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How Intervals Work
YouTube Video: Music Theory Crash Course
Defines intervals and interval types (major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished), and how to count the distance between notes.
Interval Inversion
YouTube Video: John Paul Ito
A college lecture on inverting intervals.
Building Major and Minor Chords
YouTube Video: Two Minute Music Theory
Defines major and minor chords.
How Chords Work
YouTube Video: Music Theory Crash Course
Defines chord parts (root, third, fifth), types (major, minor, augmented, and diminished), and inversions.
Building Chords: Chord Inversion
YouTube Video: Jesse Strickland
TRIADS can also be altered by choosing which note will be heard in the bass line. This video also gives us a preview of TETRADS - four-note chords also known as Seventh Chords.
Common Chord Progressions
YouTube Video: PianoPig
This video starts with a very clear introduction of all the triads found in a major scale and then moves on to easy chord progressions used in popular music (and classical!). We will cover chord progressions in later installments.
Minor Keys Explained
YouTube Video: Rick Beato
This video covers both elementary and advanced harmonic topics. The first two minutes cover our current topic, the triads in a natural minor scale, then discusses more advanced subjects such as seventh chords (tetrads) and melodic and harmonic minor scales. We will cover some of these topics later in our series. The constant reference to modes is very much a jazz improvisation topic and is an interesting tie-in with our own study of medieval music theory for our oldest recorder repertoire.
How to Harmonize a Melody
YouTube Video: Music Matters
This video uses Rule of Harmonization #2 in the Notes.
Chord Progression I-IV-V-I
YouTube Video: Berklee Online
The presenter plays variations of the I-IV-V-I chord progression to train your ear to hear and identify the three chords.
Secrets Of The 'I' 'IV' 'V' Chords - Piano Lessons
YouTube Video: Pianote (Jordan Leibel)
Introduces the basic minor i-iv-v chord progression along with some other interesting and unusual variations on the basic I-IV-V chord progression. Unfortunately the presenter does not cover the very common i - iv -V option so prevalent in classical music.
Seventh Chords
YouTube Video: Odd Quartet
A clear explanation of tetrads focusing on the five most commonly used. They are defined here as a triad plus a seventh interval.
7th Chords For Dummies
YouTube Video: PianoPig
This video also presents the five most common tetrads but constructs them using stacking thirds.
Classical Cadences
YouTube Video: Seth Monahan
This video explains how cadences work in homophonic music, especially of the Classical and Romantic eras.
Cadences in the 16th and 17th Centuries
YouTube Video: Elam Rotem
This video explains how cadences work in polyphonic music, especially music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Note that although the analysis of what we are doing uses very different terminology, the end results are very similar. In other words, the polyphonic cadences of earlier music will develop naturally into the harmonic cadences of homophony in later music.
The atonal harpsichord interludes are designed to erase any tonal memory of the previous chords, to let you start 'fresh' each time.
Understanding the Circle of Fifths
YouTube Video: Music Matters
A good review of the Circle of Fifths before diving into the idea of modulation.
Modulation Using the Circle of Fifths
YouTube Video: Music Matters
Shows how you can use the Circle of Fifths to modulate to different keys.
Modulation using Diminished 7ths
YouTube Video: Music Matters
How we can use the Diminished 7 chord to modulate to four different keys.
Harmonic Analysis of Bach's Prelude in C, BWV 846
YouTube Video: PianoLIT
This video introduces us to the concept of Harmonic Analysis using the first Prelude in Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.
Harmonic Analysis of Bach's Chorale "Schücke dich, o liebe Seele"
YouTube Video: bkehlenb
This is a fully explained harmonic analysis of one of Bach's Chorales.
Harmonic Analysis of Bach's Gavotte
YouTube Video: Scott Watson
This analysis gives both the roman numeral chord numbers below, with the actual chords being played notated above the music. There is no vocal explanation; follow along with the music and read the notes.
Harmonic Analysis of Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik
YouTube Video: Timon de Nood
This analyzes structure, harmony, and melody using all the music theory we have studied.