This article focuses on an extremely important topic in music - tonality. You will learn what constitutes a tonality, what are parallel and eponymous tonality, and their letter designations will also be considered.
What is tonality?
The word itself suggests its meaning. It seems to set the tone for the whole piece of music. In fact, tonality is the basis of the work. They are repelled from it, creating this or that musical composition. This is a kind of beginning.
So, for example, there is a key in C major. This means that the tonic, which is also the first step of the fret, is the sound “do.” The main chord in this key consists of do-mi-sol sounds. Such a chord is called "tonic triad."
In this regard, before disassembling and playing a piece of music, the performer determines the main tonality, mood, looks at the number of key characters, mentally determines what its parallel tonality is.
One and the same musical composition can be sung or played in completely different tones of the corresponding fret. This is used primarily for the convenience of vocal performance.
The parallel tonality used in the work can give a different color to the composition. So, for example, if a musical composition is written in bright key in D major, then its parallel tonality is a sad and tragic B minor.
Key letter designations
Major is denoted by dur, minor is denoted by moll. Sharp - is, flat - es. The following is a list of some parallel keys and their letter designations.
- C major (no signs). Designated by C-dur. Parallel tonality - in A minor (a-moll).
- F major - one flat (B). Has the designation F-dur. Its parallel is D minor (d-moll).
- G major - one sharp (f). Designated by G-dur. A parallel tone to her is in E minor (e-moll).
- B flat major - two flat parts (B, E). It is designated B-dur. Its parallel is G minor (g-moll).
- D major - two sharps (F, C). Designated by D-dur. Her parallel is in B minor (h-moll).
And so on.
What are parallel keys
These are the keys of the major and minor moods, which contain the same key signs, but at the same time they have different tonics.
In the list above are some key and parallel to them.
To find a parallel tonality to this major one, you need to go down from the given one to m.3 (small third) down.
If it is required to determine the parallel tonality to a given minor, then it is necessary to rise from the indicated one to b. 3 (large third) up.
The above list clearly shows the parallel keys of major and minor inclinations up to two characters with a key.
Keys of the same name
These are those that have the same tonic, but different moods and, accordingly, completely different signs with the key.
For example:
- C-dur (no signs) - c-moll (three flats).
- F-dur (one flat) - f-moll (four flat).
- G-dur (one sharp) - g-moll (two flats).
And so on.
Thus, tonality is a peculiar beginning of any musical composition for both the composer and the performer. The transposition of the melody, that is, the transition from one key to another, allows the vocalists to freely perform absolutely all the compositions. Such a transference sometimes gives the work a completely new color. You can conduct an interesting experiment, and try a musical composition written in a major key, perform in a minor (a parallel key can be selected). A bright and joyful mood will turn into sad and sad. In the twentieth century, the term "atonal music" appeared, that is, music that does not have an established tonality. But this is a completely different story ...