Chords & Harmony

Augmented intervals—one semitone larger than perfect or major intervals—serve as chromatic hinges in modal interchange and chord substitution. They introduce the raised or lowered scale degrees that signal a mode shift, create tense dissonances that propel harmonic motion, and typically resolve outward by semitone. This article explores their notation, performance, historical evolution, and enduring influence across classical, jazz, and popular music.

The minor sixth chord (m6) is a four-note chord built with a minor triad and an added major sixth above the root. On guitar, it offers a distinctive, slightly melancholic yet colorful sound used in jazz, bossa nova, and pop. This article covers its construction, notation, performance practice, historical development, and essential voicings for guitarists.

Chord voicing refers to the arrangement of notes within a chord and their distribution across the hands on the piano. This comprehensive guide covers notation, performance techniques, historical evolution, and practical examples to help pianists achieve richer, clearer, and more expressive harmonic textures.

Extended chords—9ths, 11ths, and 13ths—are built by stacking additional thirds above a seventh chord, enriching harmony with color and complexity. Their construction, voice leading, and treatment vary by genre and style, from jazz’s sophisticated textures to classical impressionism. This article explores the notation, performance, theory, history, and practical applications of these crucial harmonic devices.

Borrowed chords, also known as mode mixture, are a powerful harmonic device in film scoring, allowing composers to infuse scenes with nuanced emotions by temporarily drawing chords from the parallel major or minor key. This technique manipulates listener expectations, creating tension, nostalgia, or heightened drama with subtle shifts in color and gravity.

Britpop, a British alternative rock movement of the 1990s, is defined by its melodically rich, largely major-key harmonies that draw heavily from 1960s pop and 1970s glam rock. Common progressions include the I-V-vi-IV and I-IV-V cycles, often colored with added sevenths, suspended chords, and occasional borrowed minor chords. The genre’s harmonic language balances nostalgic British pop tradition with a distinctly modern, guitar-driven punch.

Voicing seventh chords on the piano for smooth voice leading involves selecting chord tones and their layout so that each voice moves as little as possible between harmonies. This technique enhances musical coherence, minimizes awkward leaps, and ensures a seamless, lyrical connection between chords. Mastery of this skill is essential for performers, composers, and arrangers across classical, jazz, and popular styles.

Synthwave chord progressions are the harmonic backbone of the genre, often built on minor keys and borrowed from 1980s pop and movie soundtracks. Common patterns like i–VI–III–VII and i–IV–VI–VII create a nostalgic yet driving atmosphere, while techniques like arpeggiation and sustained pads define the sound. This entry explores these patterns, their theory, and practical advice for writing your own synthwave progressions.

Jazz chord extensions—the 9th, 11th, and 13th—add color and sophistication to harmony. This article explains their notation, theory, performance, and practical voicing techniques, from drop-2 to cluster voicings, with historical context and key figures.

Turnarounds and cadences are both chord progressions that shape harmonic motion, but they serve opposite functions: a cadence provides closure, while a turnaround propels the music back to its starting point. Understanding these distinctions clarifies how composers and improvisers structure musical narrative, from classical sonatas to jazz standards.