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Introduction

Basics

Introduction to Cadences

Simple Prolongation

Definition Neighbours Passing Chords Chord Names

First Analysis

Decorations

More Prolongations

Analysis

Sequences I

Cadence Variations

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Definition

Often in music there are passages where a particular chord dominates the scene. Notes may appear which do not belong to this predominant chord and these combine to form other chords, but the function of these notes is simply to lead us from one arrangement of the primary chord to another. We call such a passage a "prolongation" of the dominating chord.

In this chapter we will begin to look at simple prolongations. Most of the examples in this chapter show prolongations of the tonic triad. Tonic prolongations are the most common and there are rich sources of examples everywhere. Prolongations of other chords, although somewhat less frequent than tonic prolongations, are still quite common and all of the patterns shown here can be applied in similar ways to chords other than the tonic.