Klassikharmonie

Klassikharmonie is a term that refers to the harmonic practices and principles that were prevalent in Western classical music from the Common Practice Period, roughly from 1600 to 1900. This era encompasses the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, and the harmonic language developed during this time has had a profound influence on Western music as a whole.

The foundation of Klassikharmonie lies in the use of triads, which are three-note chords built from the first, third, and fifth notes of a scale. These triads are often stacked in thirds to create more complex chords, such as seventh chords. The progression of these chords is governed by a set of rules and conventions that give classical music its distinctive sound.

One of the most important concepts in Klassikharmonie is the idea of functional harmony. This means that chords are understood in terms of their role within a key. The most important chords are the tonic (I), dominant (V), and subdominant (IV) chords, each of which has a specific function. The tonic chord establishes the key, the dominant chord creates tension that pulls back to the tonic, and the subdominant chord provides a contrasting, more stable harmony.

Klassikharmonie also makes extensive use of non-chord tones, which are notes that are not part of the current chord but are used for melodic or harmonic interest. These include passing tones, neighbor tones, and suspensions, among others. The use of these notes adds complexity and expressiveness to the music.

The study of Klassikharmonie is an essential part of music education, as it provides a foundation for understanding the structure and language of Western classical music. It is also a valuable tool for composers and arrangers, as it provides a set of rules and conventions that can be used to create coherent and expressive musical compositions.