Great piece. Explain for those of us who are only semi literate: what is an open and/or warm chord? And could you give an example of music (without naming names) with half steps and dotted note rhythms? I think I know the answer, but I would like to be sure, so I can articulate these principles to others.
Greetings! When I use the term "open chord," I mean a chord like a major seven chord. A "warm chord" might be an "add 2" chord of some kind. Those are my associations and are not codified by someone, as far as I know. As for half steps and dotted rhythms, think of a melody that has a couple of half steps in a row or chromatic chord progressions that have an unsettled quality. The same thing applies to rhythms. You could have rhythms that have dotted, and fast notes with ties and create an overly unstable feel if you wanted to. Hope that helps just a bit. Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you for your reply. A couple of weeks ago I finished reading “Discipling Music Ministry” by Calvin M. Johansson. In a section headed “Harmony” (p. 71) he describes open fourths and fifths as being more “austere” and therefore more desirable in church music. When you mentioned open chords being not so good I thought there was a discrepancy. Thanks for the clarification.
Interesting. I've not read that volume. I've been working through Johansson's "Music & Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint" and have been enjoying it so far. I'll add that to my list.
Great piece. Explain for those of us who are only semi literate: what is an open and/or warm chord? And could you give an example of music (without naming names) with half steps and dotted note rhythms? I think I know the answer, but I would like to be sure, so I can articulate these principles to others.
Greetings! When I use the term "open chord," I mean a chord like a major seven chord. A "warm chord" might be an "add 2" chord of some kind. Those are my associations and are not codified by someone, as far as I know. As for half steps and dotted rhythms, think of a melody that has a couple of half steps in a row or chromatic chord progressions that have an unsettled quality. The same thing applies to rhythms. You could have rhythms that have dotted, and fast notes with ties and create an overly unstable feel if you wanted to. Hope that helps just a bit. Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you for your reply. A couple of weeks ago I finished reading “Discipling Music Ministry” by Calvin M. Johansson. In a section headed “Harmony” (p. 71) he describes open fourths and fifths as being more “austere” and therefore more desirable in church music. When you mentioned open chords being not so good I thought there was a discrepancy. Thanks for the clarification.
Interesting. I've not read that volume. I've been working through Johansson's "Music & Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint" and have been enjoying it so far. I'll add that to my list.