Week 4 contiguous dominants

Week 4

Contiguous Dominants and Related IIm7 Chords

Contiguous Dominants

• Dominant 7 chords based on deceptive resolution

• Contiguous dominants move upwards to other dominant 7 chords in a very specific pattern

• Typically, contiguous patterns move:– Up in ½ steps– Up in whole steps– Up in minor thirds

UsageContiguous dominants are used:• To delay the diatonic dominant or related IIm7

from below• To create transitional modulations• To extend a cadence from V7• As an alternative to extended dominants• To harmonize static melodic phrases or

melodic phrases based on sequence

Contiguous up a half step

• Melody is static• Chord scales: – Related IIm7: Dorian– Dominant 7: Mixolydian

• The ½ step pattern is in control• Descriptive analysis necessary (contiguous - - -

- - - - - - - -)See page 44 of your Harmony 4 text

Contiguous up a whole step

• Melody sequences in whole steps• Chord scales: – Related IIm7: Dorian– Dominant 7: Mixolydian

• Whole step pattern controls the progression• Descriptive (contiguous - - - - - - - - - - -)and

Roman Numeral analysis required

Contiguous up a minor 3rd

• Melody combination of parallel and nonparallel melodic transcriptions

• Descriptive (contiguous - - - - - - - - - - -)and Roman Numeral analysis required

• Can be used as a transitional modulation• Often used in be-bop

Activity

• Analyse “Moments Notice” by John Coltrane – make as much sense of the harmony as you can.

• Listen to the piece for use of contiguous patterns

Activity

• Complete Worksheet 2