Contrast chord
Encyclopedia
In music
, a contrast chord is an auxiliary chord
formed from one of the three primary triad
s and sharing its diatonic function
. Leittonwechselklänge (German: "leading-tone contrast chords"), abbreviated Tl in major and tL in minor.
If chords may be formed by raising (major) or lowering (minor) the fifth a whole step [ parallel chords], they may also be formed by lowering (major) or raising (minor) the root a half-step to wechsel, the leading tone or leitton. These chords are Leittonwechselklänge (literally: "leading-tone changing sounds"), sometimes called gegenklang or "contrast chord".
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, a contrast chord is an auxiliary chord
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
formed from one of the three primary triad
Primary triad
In music, a primary triad is a one of the three triads, or three note chord built from thirds, most important in tonal and diatonic music, as opposed to an auxiliary triad or secondary triad....
s and sharing its diatonic function
Diatonic function
In tonal music theory, a diatonic function is the specific, recognized role of each of the 7 notes and their chords in relation to the diatonic key...
. Leittonwechselklänge (German: "leading-tone contrast chords"), abbreviated Tl in major and tL in minor.
If chords may be formed by raising (major) or lowering (minor) the fifth a whole step [ parallel chords], they may also be formed by lowering (major) or raising (minor) the root a half-step to wechsel, the leading tone or leitton. These chords are Leittonwechselklänge (literally: "leading-tone changing sounds"), sometimes called gegenklang or "contrast chord".
| Mode | Key | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Major | E minor | Tl |
| A minor | Sl | |
| B minor | Dl | |
| Minor | Ab major | tL |
| Db major | sL | |
| Eb major | dL |
- Major Leittonwechselklänge, formed by lowering the rootRoot (chord)In music theory, the root of a chord is the note or pitch upon which a triadic chord is built. For example, the root of the major triad C-E-G is C....
a half step.
- Minor Leittonwechselklänge, formed by raising the root (US)/fifth (German) a half step.
External links
- “A Guide to the Terminology of German Harmony”, in Studies on the Origin of Harmonic Tonality, pp. xi–xv (Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1990). "Published Papers", Robert Gjerdingen.