April 02, 2023

I bVII7 bVI V7

I researched the query "I bVII7 bVI V7" by examining various discussions and resources on Reddit and other websites. I found a range of explanations for this particular cadence, including tritone substitution of a secondary dominant, German Augmented 6, and half tone movements [1]. Some sources also discussed the functions of bVII and bVI in major progressions and their effectiveness in various contexts [2][4]. Additionally, I found several resources for learning music theory, such as online textbooks, websites, and apps [5][6][7][8]. There was a general consensus on the explanations provided, but some specific recommendations varied across sources.

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Tritone Substitution of a Secondary Dominant

According to a discussion on Reddit, the bVII7 bVI V7 cadence can be understood as a tritone substitution of a secondary dominant [1] . In this interpretation, the V7/V (sometimes written as II7) has been swapped out for the dominant 7th chord a tritone away (bVI7, in this example) [1] . This substitution works because the tritone sub shares some key notes with the original dominant chord, allowing it to lead to the tonic as expected [1] .

German Augmented 6

Another explanation for the bVII7 bVI V7 progression is that it represents a German Augmented 6 chord [1] . In this interpretation, the minor 7th in the bVI chord (Ab) is notated as an augmented 6 (F#), resulting in the chord being written as Ab-C-Eb-F# [1] . The augmented 6th functions as the leading tone to the tonic (G) and resolves upward by step, while the bVI triad (Ab) resolves downward by step to the dominant (G) [1] . In jazz, this chord would simply be written as an Ab7 to make it easier for players to read [1] .

Half Tone Movements

The bVII7 bVI V7 progression can also be analyzed in terms of half tone movements [1] . For example, the Ab7 chord has a Gb, the G7 chord has an F, and the tonic (C) has an E or Eb [1] . These half tone movements contribute to the smooth voice leading and overall progression of the chords.

Functions of bVII and bVI in Major Progressions

Several Reddit users suggested that the bVII(7) chord can serve as a substitute for V(7) in a major progression, functioning as V(7)/iii [2] . Additionally, the bVII chord can be used as a substitute for V7 in a major progression [2] . Other users mentioned progressions such as bVI IVb I, used in a minor plagal cadence in major, and bVI - bVII - I, seen as a form of subdominant-dominant-tonic in major [2] .

Effectiveness of bVII and bVI

In terms of effectiveness, the bVII-I progression can serve as a dominant function, a tonic expansion, or a modal substitution [4] . The bVII chord works well as a dominant substitute because it contains scale degrees 2 and 4, which have a pull towards the tonic [4] . As a tonic expansion, the bVII-I progression instills a sense of resolution in a plagal cadence or expansion, often appearing in codas after a resolute V-I cadence [4] . As a modal substitution, the supertonic chord in modal music can communicate a dominant function [4] .

Music Theory Resources

For those interested in learning more about music theory, there are several resources available, including open-access online textbooks like Open Music Theory [5] [8] , websites such as musictheory.net [5] [6] [7] [8] and teoria.com [5] [6] [7] [8] , and various music theory apps for Apple devices [5] [6] . Other resources include Dave Conservatoire, a Khan Academy-style website for interactive video lessons and quizzes [5] [6] [7] , and "Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People" by Toby Rush, which provides convenient one-page summaries of music theory topics [5] [6] .

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Source: "Best music theory books? : r/musictheory - reddit" (from web, www.reddit.com)

None

Source: "Best place to learn music theory?" (from reddit, r/musictheory)

  • Take music theory courses designed for music majors:
    • This way you can visualize and feel the concepts better.
  • Use a college theory text with a private music teacher:
    • Most likely they would be capable of teaching you music theory, even if the college itself doesn’t offer the courses.
  • www.musictheory.net:
    • A decent resource for learning music theory.
  • Private Music Teacher:
    • Introduce theory concepts in tandem with the song(s) they’re working on.
  • Pop Music Theory at www.drawmusic.com:
    • A resource for learning classical or pop/jazz theory.
  • Check the sidebar for lists of resources:
    • Textbooks, music theory apps and websites, and ear training apps and websites.
  • Learn to play the instrument right:
    • Then the theory will make sense.
  • Learn the songs of the masters:
    • This will teach you exactly what you need.

Source: "Best online music theory program (has to be fre..." (from web, www.reddit.com)

None

Source: "Best online music theory program (has to be free)" (from reddit, r/musictheory)

  • Open Music Theory
    • Open-Access online textbook
  • Recommended music theory textbooks
    • Provided in the sidebar
  • musictheory.net
    • Website with lessons and exercises
  • teoria.com
    • Website with lessons and exercises
  • Recommended theory apps for Apple devices
    • Provided in the sidebar
  • “Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People” by Toby Rush
    • Convenient, one-page summaries written by Keepingthecommontone
  • Ear training apps and websites
    • Found in the sidebar
  • Dr. Christopher Brellochs
    • Filmed college course on YouTube
  • Fretflip.com
    • Preset-menu for part 1 and 3

Source: "Best Music theory app for iOS?" (from reddit, r/musictheory)

  • Open Music Theory
    • Open-access online textbook
  • Recommended Music Theory Textbooks
    • Link provided to a list of recommended music theory textbooks
  • musictheory.net
    • Lessons and exercises
  • teoria.com
    • Lessons and exercises
  • Recommended theory apps for Apple devices
    • Link provided to a list of recommended music theory apps for Apple devices
  • Dave Conservatoire
    • Khan Academy style website
  • “Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People” by Toby Rush
    • Convenient, one-page summaries written by /u/keepingthecommontone of just about every music theory topic
  • Ear training apps and websites
    • Link provided to a list of ear training apps and websites
  • “Mapping Tonal Harmony Pro”
    • Check it out on youtube, or their website
    • Focussed around harmony
    • App is basically a map where you can find, see and hear how chords are related within a tonal centre

💭  Looking into

Does Audiciones y ejemplos provide examples and theory in Spanish?

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Does Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People by Toby Rush provide convenient, one-page summaries written by /u/keepingthecommontone of just about every music theory topic?

💭  Looking into

Does Dave Conservatoire provide interactive video lessons and quizzes to help learn music theory?

💭  Looking into

Does the list of recommended theory apps for Apple devices include applications to help learn music theory?

💭  Looking into

Does teoria.com provide lessons and exercises to help understand music theory concepts?

💭  Looking into

Does musictheory.net provide lessons and exercises to help understand music theory concepts?

💭  Looking into

Does Open Music Theory provide comprehensive overviews of music theory topics?

Source: "What is this cadence? bVI7 V7 I" (from reddit, r/musictheory)

  • Tritone substitution of a secondary dominant
    • V/V (five of five) but the V7/V (sometimes written as II7) has been swapped out for the dominant 7th chord a tritone away (bVI7, in your example)
    • D7 has D F# A C; G#7 (its tritone sub) has G# B# (C) D# (Eb) F# which are the #11, 7, b9, and 3 of the D7 chord so it works like playing D7b9#11 which leads to G just like you’d expect.
  • German Augmented 6
    • Minor 7th in the bVI (Ab) is instead notated as an augmented 6 (F#), so the chord is written as Ab-C-Eb-F#
    • Aug 6th (F#) functions as the leading tone to G, and resolves up by step
    • The bVI triad (Ab) resolves downward by step to the Dominant (G)
    • In Jazz it would simply be written as an Ab7 chord to make it easier for the players to read
  • Half tone movements
    • Ab7 has Gb
    • G7 has F
    • C has E or Eb

Source: "Why is bVI bVII so effective?" (from reddit, r/musictheory)

  • bVII-I can serve as a dominant function
    • Scale degrees 2 and 4 have a pull towards tonic.
    • Chord function is cultural and context-dependent.
    • bVII works well as a dominant substitute because even though it doesn’t have a LT, it does have scale degrees 2 and 4.
  • bVII-I serves as a tonic expansion
    • It instills a sense of resolution in a plagal cadence or plagal expansion.
    • It appears frequently in codas as a tonic expansion after a resolute V-I cadence.
  • bVII-I serves as a modal substitution
    • It’s not atypical for modal music to do the same thing.
    • The supertonic chord in modal music can communicate a dominant function.

Source: "What function to bVII and bVI serve when used i..." (from reddit, r/musictheory)

  • bVII(7) = V(7)/iii
    • This answer was suggested by a reddit user in the comments section. They stated that bVII(7) can be used as a substitute for V(7) in a major progression.
  • bVII => V7
    • This answer was also suggested by a reddit user in the comments section. They stated that bVII can be used as a substitute for V7 in a major progression.
  • bVI IVb I
    • This answer was suggested by a reddit user in the comments section. They stated that bVI, IVb, and I can be used in a minor plagal cadence in major.
  • bVI - bVII - I
    • This answer was also suggested by a reddit user in the comments section. They stated that this progression can be seen as a form of subdominant-dominant-tonic in major.
  • Bb9 (tritone substitute for E7)
    • This answer was suggested by a reddit user in the comments section. They stated that Bb9 can be used as a tritone substitute for E7, acting as a pivot chord.
  • Gm7 C7 Fmaj7 (secondary 2 5 1 of IV)
    • This answer was suggested by a reddit user in the comments section. They stated that Gm7 C7 Fmaj7 is a secondary 2 5 1 of IV.

Source: "bVII - how to create it and when to use it : r/..." (from web, www.reddit.com)

  • Open Music Theory, an open-access online textbook
    • Provides a comprehensive overview of music theory topics
    • Includes lessons and exercises to help better understand music theory concepts
  • musictheory.net
    • Includes lessons and exercises to help better understand music theory concepts
  • teoria.com
    • Includes lessons and exercises to help better understand music theory concepts
  • Recommended theory apps for Apple devices
    • Provides a list of apps to help learn music theory
  • Dave Conservatoire, a Khan Academy style website
    • Provides interactive video lessons and quizzes to help learn music theory
  • “Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People” by Toby Rush
    • Provides convenient, one-page summaries written by /u/keepingthecommontone of just about every music theory topic
  • Audiciones y ejemplos, wiki with schemata examples and theory (Español)
    • Provides examples and theory in Spanish

Source: "bVI bVII i progression in mid-90s dance music: ..." (from reddit, r/musictheory)

  • It is a common progression since the 80’s
    • It was not so common before the 80’s
    • It was used in pop, rock, film soundtracks, dance music, game soundtracks, and TV shows in the 80’s
    • It is not so common anymore
  • It works so well in dance music because it belongs to the minor key
  • It was used mostly in instrumental dance music, often not as chords but as samples of a minor chord on an instrument
  • It is a subset of the 4 chord song
  • It was used in the 50’s and is similar to the ‘50s progression
  • It is a very popular minor-mode progression
  • It is sometimes called the “Iron Maiden progression” because it is used in heavy metal music
  • It is considered a rude mistake in classical music, but it shines in blues
  • It is better to think of these as IV/III - V/III - i?!?

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