Sparkythemusic Theory Dog
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1music theory for musicians and normal people by toby w. rush
Sparky
music theory dog!
the
Dear Sparky:
Q:
Can you elaborate on why suspensions are identified by numbers? Also, what
should one watch out for when writing suspensions in four-part harmony?
--S.S., Detroit, MI
WOOF!*
A:
when analyzing suspensions, it is important to identify
*translation:
both the note of suspension (the non-harmonic tone
itself) and the note of resolution (the note that comes right after the
non-harmonic tone in the same voice).
in almost every case,
this a is the
the suspension is
note of suspension...
then labeled using
it doesn’t belong in
this g major triad .
two intervals: the
interval between the
note of suspension
this is
and the bass, and the
it resolves to
a 7th!
this is
this g, which does
interval between the
a 6th!
fit in the chord.
note of resolution
6
C:
IV
V
it’s the note of
and the bass.
resolution!
...so it’s a
6
C:
IV
V
7-6 suspension!
the only exception to this
when writing an example which
is the 2-3 suspension, where
includes a suspension, it is very
this is
the suspension occurs in the
often useful to begin by writing
a 3rd!
this is
bass. for this one, we look
the chord that is going to contain
a 2nd!
at the interval between the
the suspension, then adding the
notes of suspension and
suspension, and finishing by writing
resolution and the nearest
the chord of approach.
chord tone, whichever voice
C:
vi
V
it may be in.
...so it’s a
2-3 suspension!
the real trick, though, is to plan ahead ... if you are planning to write a particular type
of suspension, you need to think about the interval that needs to be present in the
chord that includes your suspension.
for the 7-6 suspension,
the suspension resolves
for the 4-3 suspension
for the 9-8 suspension,
to an sixth above the
and 2-3 suspension, you
bass. that means you
the suspension resolves
need a chord with a
to an octave above the
can’t use a chord in
third above the bass...
bass... that’s easy, since
root position, because
which means you can
any chord can include
they have a fifth and a
use anything except a
third above the bass.
an octave.
second inversion triad.
you need a first or
second inversion triad!
DOING STUFF THE SPARKY WAY IS ALWAYS FUN!
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