Masterclass: THEORY 201 - Harmonic Extensions

I am in!

Of course, I also want to be in. Good opportunity to go deeper with this chords! Thanks!

Exercise Harmonic Extension.pdf

Hi Monarcheon,

Here is my piece for this masterclass. I used all four harmonic extensions you mentioned and I tried to blend these with the mood of the piece.
I have notated the extensions above the chords so that you can easily find them.

I can't believe that harmonic extensions had such a huge role in the mood of a piece! I feel like I have a million more possibilities!

*I am sorry, my piece is one measure too long. Hopefully you can forgive me.

Exercise Harmonic Extension.pdf

Maarten

Pretty good use of the requirements! A comment not about those: In all measures like m. 11, the A-sharp in the right hand conflicts with the A-sharp in the left hand, resulting in confusing-sounding resolutions. 
The main issue I see here is your spelling of the Neapolitan 6th chord; it should be C E G, since it's a minor second up from the tonic, not an augmented unison. You may think that's just semantics, but it's very important to spell your chords correctly. 
Your transition out of the N6's coming out of all measures like m. 12 need to be a little bit smoother... maybe define the chord a little bit better on the subsequent chord spelling.
Overall, nice job!

9 hours ago, Monarcheon said:

Pretty good use of the requirements! A comment not about those: In all measures like m. 11, the A-sharp in the right hand conflicts with the A-sharp in the left hand, resulting in confusing-sounding resolutions. 
The main issue I see here is your spelling of the Neapolitan 6th chord; it should be C E G, since it's a minor second up from the tonic, not an augmented unison. You may think that's just semantics, but it's very important to spell your chords correctly. 
Your transition out of the N6's coming out of all measures like m. 12 need to be a little bit smoother... maybe define the chord a little bit better on the subsequent chord spelling.
Overall, nice job!

 

Thank you!

I have changed all the errors you mentioned.

If you're still open to another student for this, I would like to participate. Though I'm likely to be fumbling around quite a lot as I've never even heard of these chords. Will that be okay with you?

Sure thing.

OK, not sure if the chords are right, but I like how they sound. I did it in D major...

I used the celesta sound, hope you don't mind. It was fine with the lullaby.

I was in doubt with the German... is the 3rd always minor? I mean, even if we are in a major tonality... In measure 18 I did it so: D - F...

little lullaby.pdf

https://soundcloud.com/user-406660501/little-lullaby

Hm...
Your Italian one is good. The others I have a bit of problems with. The German one is mostly okay, but the Neapolitan chord is always a half step from the tonic chord. I see that you add an Eb in that chord later, but it should be pretty immediate, otherwise it just sounded like a iv chord.
The other musical gestures you have I won't comment too much on for the purposes of the class, but I found measures 10 and 19 to be a really weird way to cadence. Some of your chord markings are also wrong. 
I would also suggest you find a way to fit those chord into 4 bar phrases better to more potently create tension for the audience; basically, don't make it feel like it's tagged on at the end.
Overall, quite nice. :)

All right, this is what I've got. Turns out I've run into these chords before (actually just the German one) without knowing their right names. Decided on a short waltzy thing because it's just easy and I figured I should be focusing on using the chords effectively. Hopefully I managed that.

HarmonicExtensions1.mp3

HarmonicExtensions1.pdf

@KJthesleepdeprived Cool! At measure 18, I would suggest you use a French Augmented 6th chord, just because having an anticipation (the B) to an augmented sixth chord is so weirdly gratifying and mysterious, as opposed to treating it like a normal resolution, but what you have here is nice!

@Monarcheon To clarify, I should try replacing the E Major chord in measure 18 with a French Augmented 6th?

Whoops, wrong measure number.
I'm suggesting you make the German 6th chord in m. 19 into a French chord by moving the C in the melody down a half step, treating the last note in measure 18 as an anticipation, rather than a passing tone.

All right, I thought that might be what you meant but I wasn't sure. Having tried it out, I like the way it sounds. I'll do that then.