Klarinet Archive - Posting 000207.txt from 2001/06

From: "Lacy, Edwin" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] ....more about harmony
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 15:14:38 -0400

> Hmm, theory questions. It's been a while. In traditional Western
> harmony, do diminished 7th chords serve non-dominant functions? I
> guess I find myself confused by the designation "secondary diminished
> seventh" which, outside this discussion, could be read to imply that
> it has functions separate from its obvious dominant implications.

The difference is only to the same extent as the difference between the
dominant or dominant seventh chord and the leading tone triad or seventh
chord in any key. In other words, if the chord of destination is C major,
it can be preceded by a dominant chord of some type, or a leading tone
chord. If the C major chord is in some key other than C major, those
preceding chords are called secondary dominant or secondary diminished
seventh chords. I know that some people and some theorists regard the
leading tone triad as merely a dominant seventh chord with the root omitted.
I prefer not to do that; I think it is dangerous to permit the root of any
chord to be omitted. If we omit the root, something else becomes the root.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org