Musicianship: Tensions, Harmonic Function, and Modal Interchange

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/musicianship-harmony

Introduction

### Course Review: Musicianship: Tensions, Harmonic Function, and Modal Interchange **Overview** If you're a music enthusiast looking to elevate your understanding of musical theory and enhance your compositional skills, "Musicianship: Tensions, Harmonic Function, and Modal Interchange" is an excellent choice. Offered by Berklee Online and taught by the esteemed Professor George W. Russell, Jr., this course is part of the Developing Your Musicianship specialization, expanding on concepts introduced in the first two courses of the series. It is particularly beneficial for those who have a foundational grasp of music theory and are keen to delve deeper into contemporary music creation and performance. **Course Structure and Syllabus** This course is structured into four engaging lessons, each building on the last to create a comprehensive understanding of harmonic function, modal interchange, and the subtleties of musical tensions. - **Lesson 1: Chord Functions in Eb Major and B Minor** The course kicks off with an exploration of the keys of Eb Major and B minor, emphasizing the function of chords within a tonal center. Students enhance their aural skills through practical exercises aimed at identifying chord progressions and qualities, which are foundational for any aspiring musician. - **Lesson 2: The I II- V I Progression** Progressing to more complex ideas, this lesson introduces students to a new chord progression—specifically, the I II- V I. Learners will re-visit the diminished chords concept from the first course while continuing to train their ears for effective chord recognition. - **Lesson 3: Modal Interchange** In this lesson, the concept of modal interchange is introduced, equipping students with the tools to borrow chords from parallel tonalities. The spotlight here is on a new progression, the bVI bVII I, allowing learners to expand their harmonic vocabulary and deepening their compositional insights. - **Lesson 4: Final Project Preparation** The course culminates in a project that requires students to write and perform a 16-bar song. This hands-on approach allows learners to apply the concepts they've mastered throughout the course. Moreover, the introduction of suspended chords provides additional harmonic color, while continued ear training solidifies their skills. **Review and Recommendations** What sets this course apart is its focus on practical application paired with theoretical knowledge. Professor George W. Russell, Jr. excels at explaining complex concepts in an accessible manner, ensuring learners can grasp and apply the materials effectively. The course's progressive nature allows students to gradually build on their knowledge without feeling overwhelmed. Furthermore, the final project is not just an exercise but a real opportunity to create a personalized piece, giving students a sense of achievement and confidence. This course is highly recommended for anyone interested in advancing their musicianship—be you a budding songwriter, a performer, or simply a music theory aficionado. The insights into harmonic function and modal interchange will profoundly enhance your musical creativity and comprehension. **Conclusion** "Musicianship: Tensions, Harmonic Function, and Modal Interchange" is an invaluable resource for those wishing to deepen their musical understanding and improve their creative skills. With its engaging lessons, expert instruction, and practical applications, this course is a vital step in your journey toward becoming a proficient musician. Enroll today and expand your musical horizons!

Syllabus

Welcome to Musicianship: Harmonic Function, Modal Interchange, and Tensions

Welcome to Musicianship: Musicianship: Harmonic Function, Modal Interchange, and Tensions (also known as Developing Your Musicianship III)! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your course experience.

This week, we will explore the key of Eb Major and B minor. We will also learn about chord tensions and harmonic function, or, in other words, how chords function within a tonal center. We will continue to develop our ears by aurally identifying chord progressions and chord qualities.

This week, we will explore learn a new chord progression, the I II- V I. If you took Developing Your Musicianship, you may remember the VII-7b5, but this week, we'll learn about diminished chords. We'll also continue to train our ears to hear chord progressions and qualities.

This week, we will explore the concept of modal interchange, or borrowing chords from a parallel tonality. We'll also learn a new chord progression that showcases modal interchange, the bVI bVII I progression. Finally, we will continue to train our ears to hear chord progressions and qualities.

This last lesson will focus on preparing you for your final course project: writing and performing a 16-bar song. We will run through a brief overview of the concepts you have learned over the past few weeks that you will be able to apply when you complete your project. We will also learn about suspended chords and we will continue our ear training practice.