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LESSON XVIII |
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The Chord of the Added Sixth
It is not proposed here to enter upon discussions of the various other fundamental discords—the so-called second, third, and fourth-class discords. These should be studied closely by the pen and ink student. At the keyboard there will be enough to do without further complications.
There is, however, one chord which is of such importance that it cannot here be overlooked—the chord known for generations as the 'added sixth.' It is now explained as a supertonic seventh, or II7, but its old name shows clearly enough how it came into use, and it will be a good one for the present student. The chord in question appeared originally as a subdominant with a 6th superimposed, thus: Later, after it had been accepted and become established, it began to be used in other positions, and changed its name to the II7. It is really a subdominant chord plus its own subordinate: |
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Its explanation as a 'chord of the nth,' though ingenious, will only confuse the student at the keyboard, and had better be disregarded.
The most obvious use of this chord is immediately before the perfect cadence, and such a succession as |
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