Tonal Harmony Workbook: A Comprehensive Plan
This workbook‚ a companion to the core text‚ offers extensive exercises for mastering tonal harmony concepts. It includes detailed analyses‚
and is available as a PDF download for convenient study and practice‚ enhancing learning through digital tools.
Tonal harmony‚ the foundational language of Western music from roughly 1685 to 1900‚ is systematically explored within this workbook. It’s designed to build a strong understanding of the principles governing chord progressions and voice leading. The PDF version provides accessible learning‚ allowing students to engage with the material anytime‚ anywhere.
This introduction lays the groundwork by defining key elements of pitch and rhythm‚ the building blocks of musical structure. The workbook meticulously guides learners through the formation of triads and seventh chords‚ essential components of tonal vocabulary. It emphasizes a practical approach‚ encouraging active participation through numerous exercises.
Students will discover how these chords function within major and minor keys‚ learning to identify diatonic chords and their relationships. The workbook’s structure mirrors the progression of a typical tonal harmony course‚ ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive learning experience. Accessing the material as a PDF facilitates easy printing and annotation‚ supporting personalized study habits. It’s a crucial resource for both self-study and classroom integration.

The Core Concepts of Pitch and Rhythm
Understanding pitch and rhythm is paramount in tonal harmony‚ and this workbook’s section provides a detailed exploration of these fundamental elements. The PDF format allows for focused study‚ enabling students to delve into the intricacies of musical time and melodic contour at their own pace.
The workbook begins by defining pitch‚ encompassing concepts like intervals‚ scales‚ and key signatures. It then transitions to rhythm‚ covering topics such as meter‚ beat subdivisions‚ and rhythmic notation. Exercises are designed to reinforce these concepts‚ helping students develop a strong aural and visual understanding.
A key focus is the relationship between pitch and rhythm – how melodic and harmonic motion interact with rhythmic patterns to create musical expression. The PDF version includes numerous examples drawn from the common practice period‚ illustrating these principles in context. Students will learn to analyze scores‚ identify rhythmic and melodic patterns‚ and ultimately‚ apply these concepts in their own compositions and arrangements. This section is a vital foundation for all subsequent harmonic study.


Triads and Seventh Chords: Building Blocks
Triads and seventh chords form the harmonic foundation of tonal music‚ and this workbook section offers a comprehensive exploration of their construction and function. The readily accessible PDF format facilitates focused practice and reinforces theoretical understanding through practical application.
The material begins with a detailed examination of triads – major‚ minor‚ diminished‚ and augmented – covering their inversions and voicings. Students learn to identify these chords in various contexts and understand their inherent harmonic qualities. The workbook then expands to seventh chords‚ including major seventh‚ minor seventh‚ dominant seventh‚ and half-diminished seventh chords.
Exercises focus on building these chords from specific scale degrees‚ recognizing them by ear‚ and understanding their relationships within a key. The PDF includes numerous examples and drills designed to solidify these skills. Emphasis is placed on the importance of proper voice leading when connecting chords‚ preparing students for more advanced harmonic progressions. Mastery of these building blocks is crucial for successful harmonic analysis and composition.
Diatonic Chords in Major Keys
This section of the tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF‚ delves into the chords naturally occurring within major keys. It systematically explores the seven diatonic triads – I‚ ii‚ iii‚ IV‚ V‚ vi‚ and vii° – and their corresponding seventh chord counterparts.
The workbook emphasizes recognizing chord quality based on scale degree and understanding the functional roles each chord plays within a harmonic progression. Students learn to construct these chords in root position and various inversions‚ practicing smooth voice leading between them. Exercises focus on harmonic analysis‚ identifying diatonic chords within given musical excerpts.
The PDF format allows for easy annotation and repeated practice. Particular attention is given to the dominant (V) and subdominant (IV) chords‚ highlighting their crucial roles in creating harmonic tension and resolution. Students will also explore the relative minor of each major key‚ establishing a foundational understanding of key relationships. Through targeted exercises‚ the workbook builds proficiency in recognizing and utilizing diatonic harmony in major keys.
Diatonic Chords in Minor Keys
The tonal harmony workbook‚ accessible as a PDF‚ extends chord exploration to minor keys‚ presenting a comprehensive study of their unique harmonic characteristics. It details the three forms of the minor scale – natural‚ harmonic‚ and melodic – and how each influences the diatonic chords derived from it.
Students learn to identify and construct the diatonic triads and seventh chords within minor keys: i‚ ii°‚ III‚ iv‚ v‚ VI‚ and VII. The workbook stresses the altered qualities of certain chords (like the diminished ii° and the major III) and their impact on harmonic color. Exercises focus on analyzing chord progressions in minor‚ recognizing characteristic minor-key harmonies.
The PDF format facilitates focused practice and annotation. Emphasis is placed on the leading-tone diminished chord (vii°) and its strong pull towards the tonic. Students will also explore the relationship between minor keys and their relative majors‚ solidifying their understanding of key relationships. Through targeted exercises‚ the workbook develops proficiency in recognizing and utilizing diatonic harmony in minor keys‚ building a strong harmonic foundation.
Voice Leading Principles
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF‚ dedicates significant attention to voice leading – the art of smoothly connecting chords. It establishes fundamental principles ensuring melodic independence and harmonic clarity within four-part writing. Key concepts include avoiding parallel fifths and octaves‚ maintaining stepwise motion whenever possible‚ and minimizing leaps.
The PDF resource provides numerous exercises designed to internalize these principles. Students practice writing progressions with careful attention to each voice‚ learning to resolve dissonances correctly and create elegant melodic lines. Emphasis is placed on common tones and how to utilize them to connect chords seamlessly.
The workbook details proper treatment of leading tones and the avoidance of awkward intervals. It also covers voice crossing and overlapping‚ illustrating how to prevent these common errors. Through consistent practice with the PDF exercises‚ students develop a refined ear for good voice leading‚ essential for composing and analyzing tonal music. Mastery of these principles forms the bedrock of effective harmonic writing.
Root Position Partwriting Techniques
The tonal harmony workbook‚ readily accessible as a PDF download‚ provides a systematic approach to root position partwriting. It begins with establishing a solid foundation in chord construction and inversion recognition. The PDF resource then guides students through the process of realizing harmonic progressions in four voices‚ adhering strictly to established voice leading principles.
Exercises within the PDF focus on creating smooth melodic lines for each voice‚ prioritizing stepwise motion and avoiding parallel motion. Students learn to distribute chord tones effectively‚ ensuring balanced voicing and harmonic clarity. The workbook emphasizes the importance of a strong bass line and its role in defining harmonic structure.
Detailed examples and practice exercises demonstrate how to write complete harmonic progressions in root position‚ incorporating common chords in major and minor keys. The PDF includes troubleshooting tips for common errors and encourages students to analyze existing musical scores to identify effective partwriting techniques. Consistent practice with the workbook’s exercises builds confidence and proficiency in this fundamental skill.
Harmonic Progression Fundamentals
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF‚ systematically introduces harmonic progression fundamentals. It begins by exploring the inherent tendencies of chords within a key‚ emphasizing the roles of tonic‚ dominant‚ and subdominant functions. The PDF resource details how these chords interact to create a sense of harmonic motion and resolution.
Exercises within the PDF focus on building progressions using diatonic chords‚ demonstrating how to create compelling harmonic sequences. Students learn to recognize and utilize common progression patterns‚ such as I-IV-V-I and ii-V-I‚ in both major and minor keys; The workbook stresses the importance of voice leading in maintaining harmonic smoothness.
The PDF also covers basic concepts of harmonic rhythm and how variations in chord duration can affect the overall musical texture. Detailed examples and practice exercises allow students to analyze and construct progressions‚ solidifying their understanding of harmonic function. Through consistent practice‚ students develop an intuitive grasp of harmonic principles and their application in musical composition.
Triads in First Inversion: Application
The tonal harmony workbook‚ accessible as a PDF‚ dedicates a section to the practical application of triads in first inversion. It builds upon the foundational understanding of root position triads‚ explaining how inverting the chord alters its melodic and harmonic characteristics. The PDF resource emphasizes the smooth voice leading possibilities that first inversion triads offer.
Exercises within the PDF focus on composing progressions that incorporate first inversion triads‚ demonstrating how they can create melodic interest and harmonic variety. Students learn to identify and resolve the characteristic bass-line motion associated with first inversions. The workbook stresses the importance of avoiding parallel fifths and octaves when using inversions.
The PDF also explores the use of first inversion triads in creating cadences and harmonic sequences. Detailed examples illustrate how these inversions can enhance the expressive quality of musical phrases. Through targeted practice‚ students develop proficiency in utilizing first inversion triads to create sophisticated and musically compelling harmonic textures‚ solidifying their understanding through the PDF format.
Triads in Second Inversion: Application
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF download‚ provides a dedicated section to mastering the application of triads in second inversion. This section expands on the concepts of root and first inversion triads‚ detailing the unique harmonic function and voice-leading considerations of second inversions.
Exercises within the PDF concentrate on composing progressions that effectively utilize second inversion triads‚ particularly focusing on their role as passing chords. Students learn to recognize and resolve the distinctive leap in the bass line characteristic of second inversions‚ ensuring smooth and logical harmonic movement.
The PDF resource emphasizes the importance of proper preparation and resolution of second inversion triads‚ typically moving to or from dominant chords. It illustrates how these inversions can create a sense of harmonic momentum and direction. Through practical exercises and detailed examples‚ the workbook equips students with the skills to confidently incorporate second inversion triads into their compositions‚ enhancing harmonic color and sophistication‚ all within the accessible PDF format.

Cadences‚ Phrases‚ and Periods
The tonal harmony workbook‚ readily accessible as a PDF‚ dedicates significant attention to understanding cadences‚ phrases‚ and periods – the fundamental building blocks of musical form. This section meticulously details the characteristics of various cadence types: authentic‚ plagal‚ half‚ and deceptive‚ providing clear examples for identification and analysis.

Exercises within the PDF focus on composing and harmonizing musical phrases‚ demonstrating how cadences function to create a sense of closure or continuation. Students learn to construct balanced antecedent and consequent phrases‚ forming complete periods. The workbook emphasizes the importance of harmonic rhythm and melodic contour in shaping these musical units.

The PDF resource offers practical application through composition assignments‚ requiring students to create musical examples illustrating different phrase structures and cadence types. It reinforces the connection between harmonic function and formal design‚ enabling students to analyze and create music with a strong sense of structure and direction‚ all conveniently contained within the downloadable PDF.
Non-Chord Tones: Passing Tones
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF download‚ provides a thorough exploration of non-chord tones‚ beginning with passing tones. This section details how passing tones function as melodic embellishments‚ smoothly connecting chord tones by stepwise motion. The PDF clearly illustrates the distinction between consonant and dissonant passing tones‚ and their proper treatment within a harmonic progression.
Exercises in the PDF focus on identifying passing tones in existing musical examples and composing melodies that effectively incorporate them. Students learn to distinguish between diatonic and chromatic passing tones‚ understanding the different harmonic implications of each. The workbook emphasizes the importance of voice leading when using passing tones‚ ensuring smooth and logical melodic lines.
Through practical application and detailed analysis within the PDF‚ students develop a strong understanding of how passing tones contribute to melodic interest and harmonic richness. The resource reinforces the rules governing their use‚ enabling students to confidently analyze and compose music featuring these essential melodic devices‚ all within the accessible PDF format.
Non-Chord Tones: Neighbor Tones & Suspensions
The tonal harmony workbook‚ readily accessible as a PDF‚ delves into more complex non-chord tones: neighbor tones and suspensions. The PDF meticulously explains neighbor tones – both upper and lower – as melodic embellishments that step away from and return to a chord tone. It clarifies how these tones create melodic interest and harmonic color‚ with numerous examples for analysis.
Suspensions‚ a crucial element of harmonic tension and release‚ are also comprehensively covered in the PDF. Students learn to identify and resolve suspensions correctly‚ understanding their impact on voice leading and harmonic progression. The workbook’s exercises guide students through composing and analyzing passages featuring both neighbor tones and suspensions.
The PDF format allows for easy access to detailed explanations and practical exercises‚ reinforcing the concepts through hands-on application. It emphasizes the importance of proper preparation and resolution for both tone types‚ ensuring smooth and musically satisfying harmonic movement. Mastering these techniques‚ facilitated by the PDF‚ is vital for advanced harmonic understanding.
The Dominant Seventh Chord (V7)
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF download‚ dedicates significant attention to the dominant seventh chord (V7). This crucial chord‚ a cornerstone of tonal harmony‚ is thoroughly explained within the PDF‚ detailing its construction‚ function‚ and common resolutions. Students learn to identify V7 chords in various contexts and understand their strong pull towards the tonic.
The PDF provides extensive exercises focused on composing and analyzing V7 chords in different inversions and voice-leading scenarios. It emphasizes the importance of resolving the seventh of the chord smoothly‚ typically downwards by step‚ to create a satisfying harmonic cadence. The workbook’s examples demonstrate how the V7 chord creates harmonic tension and drives progressions forward.
Furthermore‚ the PDF explores the V7 chord’s role in creating authentic and deceptive cadences‚ solidifying its importance in tonal structure. Through practical application and detailed explanations‚ the PDF ensures students develop a strong grasp of this fundamental harmonic building block‚ enhancing their analytical and compositional skills.
Secondary Seventh Chords: II7 and VII7

The tonal harmony workbook‚ accessible as a PDF‚ delves into secondary seventh chords‚ specifically the II7 and VII7. These chords‚ functioning as applied dominants‚ add color and harmonic interest to tonal progressions. The PDF clearly explains how these chords borrow from related keys to create temporary tonicizations‚ enriching the harmonic vocabulary.
Exercises within the PDF focus on recognizing and utilizing II7 and VII7 chords to create compelling harmonic movement. Students learn to analyze scores and identify instances where these chords function as substitutes for dominant chords‚ leading to unexpected yet logical resolutions. The workbook emphasizes proper voice leading when employing these secondary dominants.
The PDF also illustrates how the II7 and VII7 chords can be incorporated into various cadential formulas‚ expanding beyond basic perfect authentic cadences. Through detailed examples and practical exercises‚ the tonal harmony workbook ensures students master the application of these sophisticated harmonic devices‚ enhancing their compositional and analytical abilities.
Other Diatonic Seventh Chords
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF‚ extends beyond dominant seventh chords to explore other diatonic seventh chord types within a key. This includes a detailed examination of minor seventh chords built on scale degrees other than the dominant‚ and their unique harmonic functions. The PDF clarifies how these chords contribute to harmonic variety and expressive possibilities.
Exercises in the PDF guide students through identifying and analyzing these less common diatonic seventh chords in musical excerpts. Emphasis is placed on understanding their relationship to the tonic and other key chords‚ and how they can be used to create smooth voice leading and compelling harmonic progressions. The workbook provides ample practice in composing progressions utilizing these chords.
The tonal harmony workbook’s PDF format allows for easy access to comprehensive explanations and examples‚ solidifying understanding of these nuanced harmonic elements. Students learn to differentiate between the functions of various diatonic seventh chords‚ expanding their analytical toolkit and compositional palette‚ ultimately fostering a deeper appreciation for tonal music.

Secondary Functions: Applied Dominants
The tonal harmony workbook‚ readily accessible as a PDF‚ delves into the sophisticated concept of secondary functions‚ specifically focusing on applied dominant chords. These chords‚ functioning as dominants to chords other than the tonic‚ create heightened harmonic interest and directional pull. The PDF meticulously explains how to identify and analyze these borrowed dominant harmonies within a tonal context.
Exercises within the PDF guide students through constructing applied dominant chords resolving to various diatonic chords‚ enhancing their understanding of harmonic motion. The workbook emphasizes recognizing the characteristic V-I relationship‚ even when it doesn’t lead directly to the tonic. Students practice composing progressions incorporating applied dominants‚ learning to create compelling harmonic sequences.
The tonal harmony workbook’s PDF format provides clear examples and detailed explanations‚ solidifying the understanding of these advanced harmonic techniques. It fosters a deeper comprehension of how composers utilize applied dominants to expand the tonal palette and create expressive harmonic effects‚ enriching both analytical and compositional skills.
Modulation with Diatonic Common Chords
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF download‚ provides a thorough exploration of modulation techniques‚ with a primary focus on utilizing diatonic common chords. These chords‚ shared between two keys‚ serve as pivotal points for seamless transitions‚ offering a natural and logical shift in tonal center. The PDF clearly illustrates how to identify these common chords and leverage them effectively.
Exercises within the PDF guide students through composing modulations using common chords‚ emphasizing smooth voice leading and harmonic coherence. The workbook details how to prepare the common chord in the original key and follow it with chords firmly establishing the new key‚ creating a convincing modulation.
The tonal harmony workbook’s PDF format offers numerous examples‚ demonstrating modulations to closely related keys. It reinforces the importance of understanding key signatures and chord functions to navigate these transitions successfully. Students develop the ability to analyze existing compositions and compose their own modulations‚ expanding their harmonic vocabulary and compositional skills.
Advanced Modulatory Techniques
Delving beyond common chord modulations‚ the tonal harmony workbook – accessible as a PDF – introduces sophisticated techniques for shifting tonal centers. This includes exploring enharmonic modulation‚ where chords are reinterpreted based on different spellings‚ creating unexpected yet logical transitions. The PDF provides detailed explanations and exercises focused on mastering these nuanced approaches;

Students utilizing the PDF will encounter chromatic mediant relationships‚ allowing modulation to keys sharing a common tone but not necessarily a common chord. The workbook emphasizes recognizing these relationships and composing effective modulations utilizing them. Furthermore‚ the PDF covers abrupt or deceptive modulations‚ adding dramatic flair to harmonic progressions.
The tonal harmony workbook’s PDF format facilitates in-depth analysis of scores employing advanced modulation‚ fostering a deeper understanding of compositional intent. Exercises challenge students to create their own complex modulations‚ solidifying their grasp of harmonic principles and expanding their creative possibilities. It prepares students for analyzing and composing in more complex tonal contexts.
Forms: Binary and Ternary Structures
The tonal harmony workbook‚ conveniently available as a PDF‚ dedicates significant attention to understanding musical form‚ specifically binary and ternary structures. Binary form (AB) is explored through analysis and composition exercises within the PDF‚ emphasizing clear sectional contrast and harmonic coherence. Students learn to create balanced phrases and effective cadences to delineate each section.
Ternary form (ABA)‚ with its return to the initial thematic material‚ receives detailed coverage in the PDF. The workbook guides students in creating contrasting middle sections (B) that effectively depart from and then resolve back to the original key and thematic ideas (A). Exercises focus on harmonic variation and development within each section.
The tonal harmony workbook’s PDF format allows for visual mapping of formal structures‚ aiding comprehension. Students analyze examples from the classical repertoire‚ identifying key characteristics of binary and ternary forms. Compositional assignments within the PDF challenge students to apply these principles‚ fostering a strong understanding of musical architecture and harmonic planning.