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For an explanation of each (lowest level) element of the syntactic structure, move the pointer over that element of the parsing diagram to the right. Click to play that element.
In the simplest phrases, the Opening Section is made up totally of "static harmony". Static harmony is the extended chord I or an oscillation of chord I with one or more other chord(s).
In this example, the chord oscillation is: I - V - I - V - I. Thus the tonic chord is "prolonged" There is no "chord progression". The static nature of the harmony is emphasised by the tonic pedal note. The horizontal square bracket shows the extent of the static harmony.
The Closing Section starts with "dynamic harmony".
Dynamic harmony is made up of a chord progression rather than a chord oscillation. In this example, the progression is a full cycle of 7 rising 4th progressions. This takes in chords on all degrees of the scale. The progression from chord VI to II (F to b°) is a progression of an augmented 4th and is required to keep the whole sequence diatonic. The cycle completes on the V to I cadence.
The cadence starts with chord V.
In this example, the chord V is elaborated by an "appoggiatura chord" (the cadential 6 4 chord).
In other examples, the chord V may be further extended. See dominant prolongation demo.
The cadence (and phrase) ends with chord I.
In this example, the chord I overlaps with the initial static harmony of the next phrase which is an extended repeat of the current phrase.
In the simplest phrases, the Opening Section is made up totally of "static harmony". Static harmony is the extended chord I or an oscillation of chord I with one or more other chord(s).
In this example, the chord oscillation is: I - V - I - V - I. Thus the tonic chord is "prolonged" There is no "chord progression". The static nature of the harmony is emphasised by the tonic pedal note. The horizontal square bracket shows the extent of the static harmony.
The Closing Section starts with "dynamic harmony".
Dynamic harmony is made up of a chord progression rather than a chord oscillation. In this example, the progression is a full cycle of 7 rising 4th progressions. This takes in chords on all degrees of the scale. The progression from chord VI to II (F to b°) is a progression of an augmented 4th and is required to keep the whole sequence diatonic. The cycle completes on the V to I cadence.
The cadence starts with chord V.
In this example, the chord V is elaborated by an "appoggiatura chord" (the cadential 6 4 chord).
In other examples, the chord V may be further extended. See dominant prolongation demo.
The cadence (and phrase) ends with chord I.
In this example, the chord I overlaps with the initial static harmony of the next phrase which is an extended repeat of the current phrase.