Favorite harmony

[raymagini]

to day i was readin through teh chopin op9.1 noctune and realized how beautiful the german 6ths were in teh b section.  i was wondering what everyone elses thoughts were on their favorite harmonies or harmonic progressions in piano pieces?

(maybe divide into different time period like baroque, classical,romantic, impressionistic etc.. since there probably be alot from 20th century too)

[pianonut]

to know what your favorite harmony is you also have to determine how much dissonance you like to hear in a piece, i think.  some composers use a lot of chromaticism linearly so that the harmony is hidden (chopin), and some are more chordal and yet use complex chords (brahms).  to me, it is the combination of dissonance and harmony working together that can make the harmony stand out.

you may have read that previous thread about the woman who could taste intervals, and different ones gave her different tastes.  i've always liked the theme and variations type of thing because you go from simple harmonies to gradually more and more complex.  i used to dislike the last few variations of some pieces because of the intense dissonances involved BUT now am seeing that it is helpful in interpretation of the layers of music and harmonic analysis (of which i am still somewhat a novice). 

if i were strictly a theory teacher, i would take different 'theme and variations' and analyze them, taking note of what is done in each variation that is different and similar.  learning to appreciate your own levels of dissonance tolerance is probably like learning various qualities of wine.  i am surprised how much i like scarlatti's K119 with the cluster-tones of M2nds.  just that little bit of dissonance makes the harmonies better.

[ted]

I find your question impossible to answer, Ray. I have come to the conclusion that harmony is an acquired taste. I like all sorts of harmony and enjoy the ongoing exploration of new combinations and changes every day. I might go through a phase of using a particular harmony to excess every so often though I suppose, just like I get periodic likings for blue cheese or marmite.

[Derek]

Wow, I don't think I have any favorite harmonies. Like Ted my tastes vary wildly from day to day. There are certain things I think are "neat" though,  like the circle of fifths progression in any key. Its a great way to practice all triads in a key while improvisiing...certainly more interesting than just going up or down the scale.

[andric]

I've been enjoying the sound of a suspended 4th and a b9 functioning as a dominant chord. eg, C,Db,F,G resolving to F minor.  I also like it voiced Db,F,G,C with a C in the bass.

[raymagini]

i was also listening earlier to liszt's evening harmonies and realized that this was good piece for this topic too

[paris]

i was wondering what everyone elses thoughts were on their favorite harmonies or harmonic progressions in piano pieces?

i recently discovered N6 (napoli 6) ,  for example: in C major N6 is f-a flat- d flat
and then you make combinations:
 -in MAJOR, before N6 can come IV(flat), I, or II6,   and after N6 comes D7(-5)
 -in MINOR, before N6 VI, IV, I or II6 and after N6 D7(-5) again

i like it very much, it sounds nice, especially in minor. and, after D7(-5) you can put I but with picardic third (if you are in a-minor, instead a-c-e, you put a-c#-e )