Basic Tonal Harmony

All graduate music students are expected to demonstrate a competency with the basics of tonal harmony (including functional chromaticism). We assess this through four voice partwriting to a given figured bass, harmonization of a simple diatonic melody, and harmonic function analysis using standard Roman numerals to indicate chord function.

Figured Bass - Sample

Write in the alto and tenor voices for example according to the given figured bass. When you are done check your answer for one possible solution. Note the example has very few possible solutions that don't break some sort of voice leading rule. If your solution is not the one given check it carefully for voice leading mistakes.

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Try another example.

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Melody Harmonization - Sample

Harmonize the short melody below in four voices. Use one borrowed chord and a deceptive cadence.

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Harmonize the short melody below in four voices. Use a French Augmented 6th chord and a secondary dominant (applied) chord.

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Harmonize the short melody below in four voices. Use a Neapolitan 6th chord.

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Harmonic Analysis - Samples

Give a harmonic analysis for the example below. Start in the key of E major and use Roman numerals to indicate the harmonic function and inversion for each chord. If the excerpt modulates indicate what type of modulation (if it is a pivot chord modulation indicate the pivot chord and its analysis in both old and new keys).

One Solution Click to expand

Give a harmonic analysis for the example below. Start in the key of E major using Roman numerals to indicate the harmonic function and inversion for each chord. If the excerpt modulates indicate what type of modulation (if it is a pivot chord modulation indicate the pivot chord and its analysis in both old and new keys).

One Solution Click to expand

Another Solution Click to expand