Dr. B Music Theory Lesson 45 (Neapolitan Chord)

TOPICS:
0:00 - Spelling the Neapolitan chord in major & minor
3:26 - Doubling for 4 part textures (***NOTE: I simplify this rule as I talk! Always look for the clearest principle so you don't need to memorize an endless list)
4:51 - Harmonic progression
7:31 - Voice leading (b2 resolves down a o3 to L.T.)
15:15 - Modulation using borrowed & Neapolitan chords

[leviaWNG]

This is college level music education why is this free though?

[JasonQuackenbushonGoogle]

You said the Neapolitan chord isn’t mode mixture. I don’t get how N is harmonically different from borrowing the bII from the Phrygian mode.

[camillesindell]

Your professional generosity is so appreciated! I am devouring these lectures. I gave to your project in appreciation.Question:
Why is the iidim6 restricted to first inversion? Thank you!

[dilisdohdi]

Great lecture. Your lectures helped me develop into a real musician. I have great respect for you sir.

[rik-keymusic]

The more i learn the more I realize how much I don’t know... 🥵

[ChrisMarts]

Neapolitan chord in minor
Neapolitan minor
1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Neapolitan chord in major
Double harmonic major
1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7
Other scales:
Locrian nat 7
1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 7
Persian
1 b2 3 4 b5 b6 7

Any scales that contain the intervals
b2 4 b6 7

Ionian Aug b2
1 b2 3 4 #5 6 7

[melanieriordan]

Jeez! I wish you had been my theory teacher in undergrad!

[waynegram]

Where is the Neapolitian chord being borrow from which key or is it considered a Common tone modulation? because only one note in the neapolitian chord is in the original key and the rest are out of key to the original key. In the key of C major the Neapolitian chord would be Db-F-Ab. The note F is the only note that is not an out of key/accidental note in C major. Putting the Neapolitian chord in first inversion will be the F note in the bass and you double the F note which is the 3rd of the Neapolitian chord, so you double the 3rd of the neapolitian first inversion chord.

[jpilot]

Currently in my theory 1 class piano. Your videos are great resources

[terencelewis]

Dr B you are the best you have actually explained clearly to me about the N6 chord

[tanmusicch]

Dr B can you guide me to a book or resource which will show me how to learn pianoforte style

[emanndaman]

Wouldn’t the 3 chord in harmonic minor be Augmented and not major?

[heidiivana]

what is it mean by "double the bass?" i'm a beginner tho..

[classicalpiano]

Thank you so much again! This helps me a lot

[juanvicentezerpa]

Excelent videos. Thank you for such clarity

[oliver_juliet]

Thank you so much! This was really helpful!

[kurtismayer]

These lessons are amaizing, don't stop!

[opiekundps]

How about Lydian Chord, Chopin Chord and Prometheus/mystic Chord?
Can You tell us something more about how to use them?

[andrewnorris]

I find your lectures more comprehensive than many books I have been reading and on the subject of the Neapolitan chord I have one question. In one book there is an example of the tonicization of the bii chord in A minor labeled as V/bii, the notes being F, F, A, C followed by the bii chord. As you outline in your lecture this is also a VI chord, there is no 7th in my example. What is the reasoning behind the labeling preference if these two chords are actually identical? Thanks for your time, Dr B.

[martinbennett]

F is in the key of Db (enharmonic with C sharp - you rejected this key) How about e, N, Ab7, Db ?


To me it sounds OK to put a flattened 7th on the Neapolitan, which can resolve to the tonic. This means that the flattened 7th of any tonic (or dominant) can become the Neapolitan of the relative major 7th (or augmented 4th). It probably works better in the root position though. Is this an acceptable progression?