SECRETS OF ORGAN PLAYING - WHEN YOU PRACTICE, MIRACLES HAPPEN
  • HOME
  • FREE GIFT
  • STORE
  • TOTAL ORGANIST
  • LISTEN
  • BIO
  • RECITALS
    • Recital Dates
  • CONTACT
  • LOGIN
  • LT

Harmony for Organists: How to Connect Subdominant Chord with the Dominant?

2/15/2013

Comments

 
Yesterday I have taught you how to properly connect tonic (T) and subdominant (S) (and vice versa) and dominant (D) with tonic chord (and vice versa). The roots of these chords are a perfect fourth or fith apart from one another.

Today let's discuss the principals behind connecting subdominant with the dominant chord. The opposite progression is generally not used in classical tonal music because there is a tendency to use chords with increasing intensity and tension. Because of the leading note (7th scale degree) the dominant chord has more tension than the subdominant chord. Therefore the progression D-S would be less natural. However, it sounds perfectly fine in pop music.

So anyway, here are the rules for connecting subdominant with the dominant. Note that these chords are spaced a major second apart so unlike the progression we discussed yesterday (S-T, T-S, D-T, and T-D) S and D have no common tones. Therefore we can only connect S with D using melodic method (moving all voices).

1) The bass moves stepwise upward from the root of one chord (4th scale degree) to the root of another chord (5th scale degree).
2) The upper three voices move stepwise downward (contrary to the bass).

Note that this type of voice leading (contrary motion with the bass) helps to avoid forbidden parallel octaves and fifths.

Try this exercise on paper and later on the instrument in various keys (major and minor). When playing in minor keys remember that the dominant chord has to be major - use raised 7th scale degree (just like in harmonic minor scale).

If you master T-D, D-T, S-T, T-S and S-D progressions from the lessons of yesterday and today in various keys, you will be equipped to harmonize many hymns just by using these chords (sometimes you will need to know a few more rules).

Although T, S, and D chords don't provide the many colours, variety and options that are needed for the mastery of hymn harmonization, they may well be your most easiest solutions (shortcuts) when it comes to hymn playing - liturgical organ playing would sound so much better for many organists if only they new these simple rules.

By the way, do you want to learn my special powerful techniques which help me to master any piece of organ music up to 10 times faster? If so, download my video Organ Practice Guide.
Comments
    Share This Page:

    GET FREE ORGAN PLAYING ADVICE AND INSPIRATION BY EMAIL. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY OF 3700+ ORGANISTS:

    * indicates required
    Sending frequency
    Picture
    Photo by Edgaras Kurauskas
    Would you like to say "Thank You" to us? Buy Us Coffee.
    Authors
    Drs. Vidas Pinkevicius and Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkeviciene
    Organists of Vilnius University , teachers at National M.K. Čiurlionis School of Art, creators of Secrets of Organ Playing.
    Do you have a unique skill or knowledge related to the organ art? Pitch me your story to become a guest on Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast.

    Don't have an organ at home?
    Download paper manuals and pedals, print them out, cut the white spaces, tape the sheets together and you'll be ready to practice anywhere where is a desk and floor. Make sure you have a higher chair.

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    RSS Feed

Copyright  © 2011-2017 by Vidas Pinkevicius and Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkeviciene. All the information on this blog may be shared freely as long as you don't charge for it  and provide a link back to this blog.
Vidas' blog on Steemit
​Ausra's blog on Steemit
✕