Nicky K asked 9 years ago
This is probably a silly question, when I analyze songs, to study, I usually look at the chord and see where the melody starts for that section.
For example if the chord is an A minor in the key of C Major and the melody starts with C note than I look at that as the melody starts on the 3rd of the chord
Is that correct or do I say it starts on the 1 Tonic of the major scale ?
Also if there is a pickup, say it melody first is on an 8th note not on a strong beat thats not in the chord then goes to a note in the chord, would I be ooking always for the not that lands on the strong beat for analyzing purposes for education myself? I suppose sometine it can be an eighth not on strong downbeat not in chord and the on the upbeat after be a note in chord and I would use the note in the chord as the main starting note of melody?
Hope this question was not too crazy.
LOVE THIS COURSE JON!
Jon Brantingham Staff answered 9 years ago
Feel free to use whatever helps you to understand the melody and harmony best. You can think of that note as the 3rd of the chord, or as tonic of the key.
If the pickup is a non-chord tone, then you would just ignore it in regards to deciding which harmony would be prolonged. So if the pickup note is a B (bar 0), but the next note (Beat 1 of Bar 1) is a C, over a C major chord, you would consider that the prolonged harmony.
Nicky K
replied 9 years ago Thanks Jon!
Jon BrantinghamThe important thing is that you can identify it as a non-chord tone. If you look at the B, and it feels structural, then you could say the chord is a I7 chord. However, if it feels like a non-chord tone, then you would call it that, and say the harmony is just a I chord.
Nicky K
replied 9 years ago ps would it be the same if there is no pickup, and for example Beat 1, Bar 1 is a Non-Chord tone , say a eighth or 16th note, and next note is a chord tone?
Lets say on a C major chord the first note of (beat 1 of bar 1) is a B 8th note and the next note is a C 8th note, would I consider the C the prolonged harmony? thx!!!
Nicky K
replied 9 years ago Rhanks so much Jon for the reply! appreciate it! 🙂