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venjacques · 07-04-2012, 07:46 AM

blastingas 10:
"What key is this progression in? A minor/C major/E7/A# major."

Burning Down was correct that you can make that A# major chord into a Bb Major one.

Doing this will give you the neapolitan effect (bII). It is, as notated, a Major triad built on the b2. You can label this as "N6" (they're usually found in their first inversion) or just simply "N" if you're feeling crafty.

Your whole progression then (in the key of a minor of course) is then : i III V7 N(6). Pretty simple. Remember than Neapolitans are usually predominant functions, so they usually want to go to a V or a vii. Keep this in mind, and follow suit if you want a 'normal' sounding progression. Or break the rule and be a bad-ass rebel.

That's always fun too.

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As for your e minor/b minor / a minor, the v (B minor in the key of e minor) is usually Major instead, as Burning Down has stated. However, don't forget that the Major (dominant) V(7) chord belongs to the Harmonic minor scale, and that the natural minor's v chord is normally minor.

I've been analyzing Bach chorales lately and have come across many chords I can't describe except as minor v chords. They are peculiar, but if Bach can do it, why not let them exist?

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As for these chords being in the key of G Major, that's correct too.

G major and e minor are relative key signatures. This means they have the same number of Sharps and Flats.

The G Major scale is: G A B C D E F# G
The e natural minor scale is: E F# G A B C D E

Notice how they both only have one sharp, on F.

Thus, you get the same chords from them:

G Major, A minor, B minor, C Major, D Major, e minor, f# diminished.

If you want to make e harmonic minor, you simply raise the 7th note in the scale (in this case, the D) by adding a sharp. Your e harmonic minor scale is then E F# G A B C D# E.

With these notes, you get the following chords instead (different chords from previous are bolded):

e minor, f# diminished, G Augmented, a minor, B Major, C Major, d# diminished.

These sets of chords are semi all related based on that key signature with just the lone F#.

You should be able to have some fun with these selections of chords and moving around through progressions.

07-04-2012, 07:46 AM	#135 (permalink)
venjacques Groupie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 48	blastingas 10: "What key is this progression in? A minor/C major/E7/A# major." Burning Down was correct that you can make that A# major chord into a Bb Major one. Doing this will give you the neapolitan effect (bII). It is, as notated, a Major triad built on the b2. You can label this as "N6" (they're usually found in their first inversion) or just simply "N" if you're feeling crafty. Your whole progression then (in the key of a minor of course) is then : i III V7 N(6). Pretty simple. Remember than Neapolitans are usually predominant functions, so they usually want to go to a V or a vii. Keep this in mind, and follow suit if you want a 'normal' sounding progression. Or break the rule and be a bad-ass rebel. That's always fun too. ------- As for your e minor/b minor / a minor, the v (B minor in the key of e minor) is usually Major instead, as Burning Down has stated. However, don't forget that the Major (dominant) V(7) chord belongs to the Harmonic minor scale, and that the natural minor's v chord is normally minor. I've been analyzing Bach chorales lately and have come across many chords I can't describe except as minor v chords. They are peculiar, but if Bach can do it, why not let them exist? ------------ As for these chords being in the key of G Major, that's correct too. G major and e minor are relative key signatures. This means they have the same number of Sharps and Flats. The G Major scale is: G A B C D E F# G The e natural minor scale is: E F# G A B C D E Notice how they both only have one sharp, on F. Thus, you get the same chords from them: G Major, A minor, B minor, C Major, D Major, e minor, f# diminished. If you want to make e harmonic minor, you simply raise the 7th note in the scale (in this case, the D) by adding a sharp. Your e harmonic minor scale is then E F# G A B C D# E. With these notes, you get the following chords instead (different chords from previous are bolded): e minor, f# diminished, G Augmented, a minor, B Major, C Major, d# diminished. These sets of chords are semi all related based on that key signature with just the lone F#. You should be able to have some fun with these selections of chords and moving around through progressions. __________________ It's just another day.