和声学

The core task of this step is to review four-part harmony basic knowledge and select a work for harmonic analysis. Harmonic analysis requires solid harmonic theory foundation; first systematically review core concepts and rules of harmony, prepare for subsequent analysis and writing. Selecting appropriate works for analysis can deepen understanding of harmony theory in practice.

• Systematically review basic knowledge of harmony, including triads, seventh chords, chord inversions, voice leading, cadences, harmonic functions, tonicization, modulation, altered chords and other core concepts and rules
• Select work for harmonic analysis, choose a keyboard work or chamber work from classical or romantic period, such as works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and other composers, ensure the work has rich harmonic language and is representative
• Collect work scores and different versions of recordings, obtain high-quality scores, listen to interpretations by different performers, establish auditory impression and perceptual understanding of the work as a whole

This step is the basic phase of harmonic analysis, identifying and labeling each chord in the work, analyzing its functional properties. Accurately identifying quality, position, function of chords is the basic skill of harmonic analysis. Through bar-by-bar chord labeling, establish complete picture of harmonic progression in the work, lay foundation for in-depth analysis.

• Conduct bar-by-bar chord identification and labeling, mark quality (triad/seventh chord, major/minor/augmented/diminished), position (root position/inversion), function (T/S/D), degree (Roman numeral labeling) of each chord on the score, use standardized harmonic labeling system
• Analyze types and positions of cadences, identify various cadence types in the work (authentic cadence, plagal cadence, perfect cadence, imperfect cadence, half cadence, deceptive cadence, etc.), analyze role of cadences in structural division
• Sort out functional progression logic of harmony, analyze functional relationship network of tonic-dominant-subdominant, study movement law of the function circle, understand tension and resolution logic of harmony

This step deeply analyzes voice leading rules and decorative non-chord tones, understanding linear movement characteristics of harmony. Four-part harmony not only has vertical chord structure but also horizontal voice leading. Non-chord tones (passing tones, auxiliary tones, anticipation tones, suspensions, etc.) are important means of enriching harmonic color and increasing musical fluency.

• Analyze voice leading of each voice part, study horizontal lines and direction of four voices (soprano, alto, tenor, bass), analyze ways of voice leading (stepwise motion, skip motion), check for improper progressions (parallel fifths/octaves, contrary fifths/octaves, etc.)
• Identify and analyze non-chord tone types, mark various decorative non-chord tones on the score, including passing tones, auxiliary tones, anticipation tones, suspensions, appoggiaturas, escape tones, pedal tones, etc., analyze resolution methods and expressive effects of non-chord tones
• Study linear treatment of harmony, analyze harmonic skeleton behind texture phenomena such as broken chords, arpeggios, cadenzas, etc., understand how harmony obtains rich expressive forms through textural changes

This step analyzes tonicization, modulation and altered chords in the work, studying harmonic color changes and tonal relationships. Tonicization and modulation expand the tonal space of music; altered chords enrich harmonic color expression—they are important pathways for harmony to develop from functional to coloristic. Through analyzing these advanced harmonic techniques, deepen understanding of harmonic expressiveness.

• Analyze tonicization and secondary dominants, identify secondary dominant chords, secondary subdominant chords, secondary leading-tone seventh chords and other tonicizing chords in the work, analyze direction, method and expressive significance of tonicization, understand temporary tonal shift effect
• Analyze types and methods of modulation, determine modulations in the work (such as relative major/minor modulation, close key modulation, distant key modulation), analyze process and techniques of modulation (common chord modulation, enharmonic modulation, sequential modulation, etc.), study structural significance of tonal layout
• Analyze altered chords and color harmony, identify Neapolitan sixth chords, augmented sixth chords, enharmonic chords, whole tone scale and other altered chords or special harmonic materials, analyze their color effects and expressive significance, understand expressive power of harmony

This step is the practice and summary phase of harmony learning, conducting harmony writing exercises and writing a complete harmonic analysis report. Harmonic analysis ultimately needs to be implemented in practice; through writing exercises deepen understanding and application of harmony rules. Through systematic summary, theorize experience of analysis and writing, comprehensively improve harmonic literacy.

• Conduct four-part harmony writing exercises, write four-part harmony according to given melody or bass, correctly use various chords, cadences, tonicization and other harmonic techniques, pay attention to fluency and correctness of voice leading, complete specified number of harmony exercises
• Write complete harmonic analysis report, integrate analysis from previous steps, systematically expound harmonic language characteristics, harmonic functional logic, tonal layout, relationship between harmony and structure, etc. of the work,coordination with work score examples for explanation
• Summarize harmony learning experience, summarize one's gains and shortcomings in aspects of harmonic theory, harmonic analysis, harmony writing, formulate subsequent advanced learning plan, such as romantic harmony, jazz harmony, 20th century harmony, etc.