CHAPTER 5 - THE DOMINANT 7th CHORD

This chapter describes the practical use of the dominant 7th chord: resolution,

inversions and placement in the Basic Harmonic System.

1. DEFINITION AND RESOLUTION OF THE CHORD

- The Dominant 7th chord is created by adding a 7th to the V degree. This gives more tension to this chord and further strengthens the need for resolution on the tonic.

- Like the leading tone, the 7th is a note of compulsory resolution, in this case descending a second downwards.

Im.5.1

2. APPLICATION IN 4-PART WRITING. INVERSIONS AND (FIGURED BASS) NOTATION

- The Dominant 7th chord is used in all its inversions, and it is almost more common to find it inverted than in root position, which entails a certain complexity. For this reason, we first show its use in inversion:

Im.5.2a

- As you can see, the Dominant 7th chord is complete in its three possible inversions. As it has 4 different notes, none of them are doubled in 4-part writing. The tonic is also complete, with its usual doubling.

- However, in 4-part writing, the resolution of the dominant 7th chord in root position implies that one of the two chords, either the V7 or the I chord, will be incomplete. In both cases the 5th of one of the chords is omitted, avoiding consecutive fifths.

Im. 5.2b

- On the other hand, the progression V7 - VI, with both chords in root position, does not cause any particular problem, and both chords can be complete.

3. LOCATION IN THE BASIC HARMONIC SYSTEM AND APPLICATION TO EXERCISES

- As you can see in the diagram, V7 is used as a substitution or expansion chord for V, always going from lower to higher tension.

- In the exercises, V7 should be used in the following way:

- Most of the V's should have a 7th.

- Most of the V7 should be in inversion.

- Only if the V is placed at a resting spot (cadence), the 7th is usually omitted, as it contradicts the resting character.

- These recommendations that we establish for the exercises come, as all the indications in this manual of Classical Tonal Harmony, from the most common patterns observed in the music literature.

- And if we review the classical repertoire, the Dominant tends to have a 7th and to be mostly inverted, except at resting points.

4. SUGGESTED EXERCISES

- Harmonise the following melodies in 4 parts, making use of the V7 chord chord as described in this chapter.