Elaborating Harmony - Inside the Mind of Bach

This video explores Bach's chorales, focusing on harmonization techniques, key modulation, and chord progressions. It delves into the use of passing notes, diminished chords, and borrowed chords, providing insights into Bach's style and the construction of four-part harmony. The video emphasizes the variety of harmonization possibilities and the importance of musical judgment in interpreting Bach's work.

What is the key of the first phrase in Bach's chorale?

• C major

• G minor

• B flat major

• D major

Which key does the second phrase modulate to?

• E minor

• F sharp minor

• A major

• B flat major

What is a common technique used to harmonize repeated tonic notes?

• Using passing notes

• Using diminished chords

• Using different inversions

• Using only tonic chords

What is the effect of using contrary motion in harmonization?

• Creates dissonance

• Avoids consecutives

• Emphasizes the melody

• Weakens the harmony

What is a common feature of Bach's chorales regarding 7th chords?

• 4/7 chords appear frequently

• They are only used in cadences

• They are always in root position

• They are rarely used

Which scale is typically used for writing harmony in minor keys?

• Melodic minor

• Harmonic minor

• Pentatonic

• Natural minor

Why is the melodic minor scale used in melody writing?

• To create dissonance

• To simplify the harmony

• To avoid augmented seconds

• To emphasize the tonic

What is a borrowed chord?

• A chord from the parallel minor

• A chord from a different key

• A chord with a major third

• A chord with a diminished 7th

What is the purpose of a secondary dominant?

• To resolve to the tonic

• To modulate to a new key

• To create a cadence

• To emphasize the subdominant

How does Bach handle the use of diminished 7th chords?

• Uses them as secondary dominants

• Uses them in every phrase

• Avoids them completely

• Uses them only in root position