What is the primary harmonic function of a common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) chord?

Correct answer: Embellishment

Explanation

The common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) does not have a standard role (like tonic, dominant, or predominant) in functional harmony. Its purpose is purely ornamental, embellishing a stable chord (usually I or V) with chromatic neighbors.

Other questions

Question 1

What is the defining characteristic of a dominant chord with a substituted 6th (Vsubs6th)?

Question 2

In the typical resolution of a V or V7 with a substituted 6th, how does the 6th move?

Question 3

In a V7subs6th chord, what is the required voicing relationship between the 7th and the substituted 6th?

Question 4

How is the V+7 chord, an augmented dominant, described in terms of its sonority?

Question 5

What is the typical resolution of the raised 5th in a V+ or V+7 chord?

Question 6

The augmented dominant (V+ or V+7) is typically found resolving to a tonic chord in which mode?

Question 7

What does the chapter state about the prevalence of true eleventh and thirteenth chords before the Impressionistic period?

Question 8

What is described in the chapter as the most common way the 9th of a ninth chord is treated before the chord resolves?

Question 9

What is the definition of a common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) chord?

Question 11

When a common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) chord is used to embellish a tonic chord (I) in a major key, how is it most often spelled?

Question 12

When a common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) chord is used to embellish a dominant chord (V), what is its usual spelling?

Question 13

According to the table in Chapter 24, how can a musician distinguish a common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) from a leading-tone diminished seventh of the dominant (viio7/V)?

Question 14

What is the key difference in the resolution of the altered pitch in a V+7 chord compared to a V7subs6th chord?

Question 15

Why is the V7subs6th chord not considered a true 13th chord in the context of the textbook?

Question 16

What two chords are most frequently embellished by a common-tone diminished seventh chord?

Question 17

When a common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) embellishes a major triad or dominant seventh chord, which member of the embellished chord is the common tone?

Question 18

The chromatic alteration in an augmented dominant (V+) is described as being useful because the raised 5th creates a leading tone to which part of the tonic triad?

Question 19

The substituted 6th in a Vsubs6th chord is often prepared in a way that makes the theorist analyze it as a V chord with what type of nonstandard nonchord tone?

Question 20

While dominant ninths are the most frequently encountered ninth chords, Chapter 24 provides a clear example of a ninth chord built on which other scale degree?

Question 21

In the progression V9 to i, how does the 9th of the V9 chord typically resolve?

Question 22

What does the text say about the use of inversions for ninth chords compared to triads and seventh chords?

Question 23

What analytical convention does the text adopt for common-tone diminished seventh chords to indicate their weak harmonic function?

Question 24

The V+7 chord in a major key is enharmonically equivalent to which chord in the minor mode?

Question 25

In addition to embellishing I and V, Chapter 24 shows that common-tone diminished seventh chords can also be used to embellish what other type of chord?

Question 26

What are the most common secondary dominants to appear in augmented form, according to the chapter?

Question 27

Why might a composer, like Chopin in Example 24-10, use an enharmonic spelling for the notes of a V+7 chord?

Question 28

Although a V+7 chord may contain the interval of an augmented 6th depending on its voicing, why should it not be confused with conventional augmented sixth chords?

Question 29

How does the chapter suggest analyzing inversions of ninth chords, given the cumbersomeness of figured bass?

Question 30

In the context of common-tone diminished seventh chords, the text mentions that examples in which mode are rare?

Question 31

What does the text indicate about inversions for common-tone diminished seventh chords?

Question 32

What is the relationship between a dominant with an added 6th (like IVadd6) and a dominant with a substituted 6th (Vsubs6th)?

Question 33

In Example 24-2c, the Vsubs6th chord contains the same scale degrees as which diatonic triad?

Question 34

In most instances of V+ or V+7, what diatonic chord often precedes them?

Question 35

According to the text, what is a potential alternative analysis for the 9th of a Vb9 chord?

Question 36

In Example 24-21 from Mozart, the common-tone diminished seventh chord is interpolated between what two harmonic events?

Question 37

In Example 24-25 from Brahms, how is the cto7 chord embellishing the tonic spelled, and why?

Question 38

In the lead-sheet symbol V7(b9), what does the 'b9' indicate?

Question 39

In Example 24-29 by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, a diminished seventh chord in measure 12 is heard first as a potential viio7/vi but then functions as what?

Question 40

Is the Vsubs6th the same as a triad with an added sixth?

Question 41

What is the reason given in the chapter for why the augmented dominant is not found resolving to a minor triad?

Question 42

The fourth inversion of a ninth chord is described as being what?

Question 43

In the Tchaikovsky and Sousa examples (24-23 and 24-24), a prominent common-tone diminished seventh chord is shown embellishing what harmony?

Question 44

In the Schumann 'Lento espressivo' (Ex. 24-27), a chord spelled as a D-flat diminished 7th (a cto7 of I) resolves in a way that requires what analysis?

Question 45

What is the key functional difference between a Vsubs6th chord and a iii6 chord, despite them containing the same scale degrees?

Question 46

In the Checkpoint section of Chapter 24, how is the resolution of the raised 5th of a V+ or V+7 described?

Question 47

The Checkpoint section of Chapter 24 asks how the 9th resolves in the progression V9 to i. What is the implied answer based on the chapter's content?

Question 48

According to Checkpoint question 8 in Chapter 24, the cto7 that embellishes the tonic is usually spelled as a #iio7, whereas the one that embellishes the dominant is usually spelled as what?

Question 49

What does the text say is the only criterion for the spelling of a common-tone diminished seventh (cto7) chord?

Question 50

In the summary of Chapter 24, what analysis is one cautioned NOT to make for a viio7/V?