Introduction to Augmented Sixth Chords

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MUS 357– Aaron Grant

INTRODUCTION TO AUGMENTED SIXTH CHORDS

EXPLORE Label the key and Roman numerals of the harmonies in the following example. Do any harmonies stand out as odd? Discuss with a partner which chord is difficult to label, and describe how that harmony’s voice leading works as well as where it falls within the phrase. Schubert, Waltz in G minor, Die letzte Walzer, op. 127, no. 12, D. 146

KEY POINTS: The harmony above is an example of an augmented sixth chord: a group of harmonies that each share the same tendency tones of raised 4^ and lowered 6^ . The half-step resolution of both scale degrees to 5^ create a powerful drive towards V. As such, this chord always preceeds a dominant, and typically appears before strong cadences.

1. When voicing this chord, lowered 6^ typically occurs in the bass with raised 4^ relegated to an upper voice; the two tendency tones, thus, create an interval of an augmented sixth that gives the chord its name. 2. Both tendency tones always resolve by half step to 5.^ 3. Raise 4^ requires an accidental in both major and minor keys, but lowered 6^ only needs an accidental in major. 4. Because augmented sixth chords always preceed the dominant of a cadence, they are a type of predominant chord. 5. All augmented sixth chords contain scale degrees ß^6 (le), ƒ^4 (fi), and 1^ (do). MUS 357– Aaron Grant

THREE COMMON TYPES OF AUGMENTED SIXTH CHORDS: The three most common types of augmented sixth chords are defined by the fourth note of the augmented sixth chord. 1. The Italian augmented sixth (It+6) doubles 1^ (do). 2. The French augmented sixth (Fr+6) contains 2^ (re). 3. The German augmented sixth (Ger+6) contains a lowered 3^ (me).

Example from (Burstein & Straus 2016). VOICE LEADING AUGMENTED SIXTH CHORDS: (From Burstein & Straus 2016) German Augmented Sixth Chords

Italian and French Augmented Sixth Chords MUS 357– Aaron Grant

LET’S PRACTICE! (From Burstein & Straus 2016)

For each key, provide the key signature, write in the tendency tones of lowered 6^ and raised 4,^ then resolve those tones to 5.^

For each of the following: 1.) Write the key signature for the indicated key, 2.) Name raised 4^ and minor 6^ in that key above the staff, and 3.) Write the indicated augmented sixth chord with the proper note in the lowest voice. MUS 357– Aaron Grant

Realize the following Roman numerals in SATB format with the proper voice leading.