Chord functions

[Alexxxander]

Chord functions.

For ex: subdominant IV

Has common notes with vi and ii , which can act as substitutions.

Also resolves backwards to tonic in “amen” fashion.

Also resolves forward to vii in “V to I” fashion.

Also there’s natural tension towards neighbouring chords iii and V.
———————

So, if I’m right, this can be applied to any other degree in a progression to find out their possible functions?? Thnx

 

[rob aylestone]

I think you’re on a journey with no end. Substitution is a tricky one, as it’s context derived. So while adding a note beneath chord IV is sort of a ii it is only a substitution if it works with the following chord. What you’ve fallen into is trying to describe chord movement. In so many songs you could go from chord I down to a IV with just moving the bass note, but if you did, and then analysed the notes, would you describe it as C, CMaj7, C6, C, F or the similar C, G/B, Am, C 2nd inversion), F?

if you actually wrote it as music on a stage, there would be no need to identify each chord by any method, numbers or names.

my first rule of music theory, a subject I hated when younger, but actually found useful later, is that you can use it to solve problems, but it causes far many more trying to use it as a rule set.

 

[Alexxxander]

I think you’re on a journey with no end. Substitution is a tricky one, as it’s context derived. So while adding a note beneath chord IV is sort of a ii it is only a substitution if it works with the following chord. What you’ve fallen into is trying to describe chord movement. In so many songs you could go from chord I down to a IV with just moving the bass note, but if you did, and then analysed the notes, would you describe it as C, CMaj7, C6, C, F or the similar C, G/B, Am, C 2nd inversion), F?

if you actually wrote it as music on a stage, there would be no need to identify each chord by any method, numbers or names.

my first rule of music theory, a subject I hated when younger, but actually found useful later, is that you can use it to solve problems, but it causes far many more trying to use it as a rule set.

Thnx bro. I look this way: know the rules and break them if needed

 

[TalismanRich]

.. and then there are those of us who don't know the rules. I understand music theory about as well as I understand Mandarin Chinese.

 

[rob aylestone]

The rub of course Rich is that as a decent musician, you actually know the rules - because they are the ones that work for every circumstance. I'd bet if we recorded a chord progression, and stopped - you'd know the next chord. That's music theory. You actually learned it yourself. Any guitarist who backs somebody and they say do you know XYZ, and you know the song but have never played it, music theory helps convert memory into music. As for the stuff like parallel fifths and the harmony stuff - it's detail that is needed for certain things, but not other day to day stuff. Me? I still struggle with the fact that certain chords have multiple names, and there are only 3 diminished chords and not 12! Things like the circle of 5ths is kind of interesting once you see the number of sharps and flats going up or down - and useful!

 

[Alexxxander]

Same shit is with tonic l.
It has common note brothers iii and vi for substitutions and prolongations.
Resolves amen downwards to V or upwards to IV.
Has neighbouring attractions to ii and vii.