Borrowed chords

Definition

Borrowed chords are harmonies taken from a parallel key, typically used to add color and contrast within a piece of music. By incorporating chords from a related scale, composers can create unexpected shifts in mood and texture, enriching the harmonic language of their compositions. This technique is particularly effective in enhancing emotional expression and complexity in harmonic progressions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Borrowed chords often come from the parallel minor key when working in a major key, allowing for contrasting sonorities.
2. Common examples of borrowed chords include the iv (minor subdominant) in major keys or the bVII (flat seven) chord as a borrowed chord.
3. Using borrowed chords can lead to enhanced tension and resolution in harmonic progressions, giving a piece more emotional depth.
4. Borrowed chords are commonly found in various genres, including classical, jazz, and popular music, showcasing their versatility.
5. Composers might use borrowed chords strategically in specific sections of music, such as transitions or climaxes, to heighten dramatic effects.

Review Questions

• How do borrowed chords enhance the harmonic texture of a piece?
  • Borrowed chords enhance the harmonic texture by introducing unexpected sonorities and contrasting colors that can shift the mood of the music. When composers borrow from a parallel key, they create new harmonic possibilities that can add complexity to traditional progressions. This technique allows for moments of tension and release that engage listeners and deepen the emotional impact of the composition.
• In what ways do borrowed chords relate to modal interchange and tonicization in composition?
  • Borrowed chords are closely linked to modal interchange because both involve utilizing harmonies outside the original key. Modal interchange allows composers to access different modes, while tonicization emphasizes specific borrowed chords by treating them as temporary tonics. By understanding these relationships, composers can craft more intricate harmonic structures that enhance musical narratives and tonal stability.
• Evaluate the role of borrowed chords in creating emotional depth within a composition and their impact on listener perception.
  • Borrowed chords play a critical role in creating emotional depth by allowing composers to evoke contrasting feelings through harmonic shifts. These unexpected changes can surprise listeners, enhancing their engagement with the music. The impact on listener perception is significant; as these chords introduce tension followed by resolution, they can elicit strong emotional responses and contribute to a more dynamic listening experience.

Related terms

Modal Interchange: The practice of using chords from a mode other than the original scale of the piece, which often leads to borrowed chords.

Tonicization: The process of temporarily emphasizing a chord as a tonic through the use of secondary dominants or borrowed chords.

Neapolitan Chord: A flat II chord, typically borrowed from the parallel minor key, that is often used in a predominant function leading to the dominant.