classical - jazz-corner

Bach...the Vm(7) chord...non-chord tones and Bill Evans

Today we'll look at the Vm(7) chord. Often times,the scale degree V will be harmonized with a V7 dominant chord (V7 of major scale or V7 of harmonic minor scale),but it is possible to find a Vm(7) chord built on the 5th scale degree of the natural minor...

Writing for strings vs writing for a jazz combo

Let us harmonize this short musical phrase on a Fm7( F7) - Bbm7 - Eb7 - Abmaj7 (Eb7) First,let us write an arrangement for strings. The arrangement is pretty straightforward and i tried to stick to the rules of common practice harmony (although there...

Bach's voicings

Let us delve into into the genius of J.S. Bach. Here are a few notes to harmonize in the key of Dm/FM Here is a simple version with basic chords Maybe we can add a few non-chord tones... Here is now Bach's version analysed. Notice how he uses multiple...

Jazz writing with the help of Puccini ("Crisantemi")

Once again,the classical composers are a great source of inspiration when you write in the jazz idiom. I was recently listening to "Crisantemi",written for string quartet in 1890 and found a very nice passage in the very beginning. So let us delve into...

The diminished scale in Scriabin's music

Even though Scriabin's early work was heavily influenced by chopin,his language would become more and more abstract by the end of his life. Scriabin is famous for the use of what is called the "Prometheus" or mystic chord.Scriabin himself referred to...

Schubert and the diminished chord.

With the romantic period, the music becomes more and more chromatic with the use of ambiguous chords. The diminished chord is one of them.Here Schubert uses the A°7 chord to go from the key of Bb(VI) to the original Dm key. It can function as VII°7 of...

Analysis of Eugène Ysaÿe's "Harmonies du soir"

I recently stumbled upon this great piece of music by Belgian Composer and conductor. The beginning of "Harmonies du soir" features some gorgeous harmonic movements,here is a short analysis i did. Measures 1 to 10 go from Eb7 to G7 and back to Eb7.That...

Ravel's string quartet: The locrian natural 9 mode

In this excerpt , the harmony is Fm7(b5) . Ravel uses ine VIth mode of Ab melodic minor (F locrian natural 9). The melodic material is taken from one the themes of the beginning of the piece and is played by the 1st violin and the cello. The 2nd violin...

"La Péri" (beginning)

Here is a harmonic analysis of the first measures of "La péri" Dukas uses the E whole-tone scale in the beginning. You can build three different 7(#4) chords on this scale. E7(#4)=Bb7(#4) F#7(#4)=C7(#4) Ab7(#4)=D7(#4) Paul Dukas (1865 - 1935) La Péri,...

La Péri by Paul Dukas

In this excerpt,Paul Dukas uses a C°7 as an appoggiatura to the tonic Chord. It is widely used in Jazz tunes and is connected to the VII7 chord ("Meditation"). Check out Dukas' masterful orchestration Le thème est joué par Les hautbois Le cor anglais...