MUSIC THEORY

Mod 39

• Subject of the Day:  Supertonic and Leading Tone Sevenths
• Reading Assignment: Chapter 14
• Written Assignment:  Workbook; pp. 117 and 121
• Semester Schedule

 Some general principles involving seventh chords:

• In 4 voices one should strive to have all four notes present
• In any incomplete 7th chord the root and 7th must be present
• The chord 7th and the leading tone cannot be doubled
• The 7th resolves down by step

ii⁷ resolves to V or I 6
                               4

This chord is used most commonly in 1st inversion.
 
 

The vii half-diminished 7th chord resolves to I (be on guard for parallel 5ths).  vii^o7 in minor resolves to i.  This chord has two tritones.  If both tritones are resolved, the tonic chord has a doubled 3rd, which is acceptable.  Regardless of which position the leading tone 7th chord is in, the tritone from root to fifth (leading tone and subdominant) tends to resolve normally.  Also the 7th continues to resolve down by step.  Since the third inversion resolves to a tonic 6-4, the tritone F# and C is not resolved normally.  The C moves to the D in order to double the bass in the second inversion chord.
 
 

If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu.