StarSlight wrote:MahlerGrooves wrote:
Also, when a slash separates two numerals, the preceding chord is functioning in the key of the following numeral. For example, the symbol V/vi in the key of C major would indicate an E chord. This is because E is the V chord of a minor, which is vi in C major.
I suppose this will make more sense to me when my theory class gets into modulation, but I don't think I fully understand how that works.
Will the degree before the slash always indicate the chord's function in the relative minor and the degreee after it the chord's function in the original key?
Thanks very much for doing this, it's really cool.
no, it has nothing to do with the relative minor
and this technically is not modulation, its called tonicization. its basically the same thing as modulation, but only for one resolution.
by analyzing in such a way, Mahler is say that the D going to the G is actually in G major, but just temporarily.
try to think about it in the context of the entire song. the chorus just goes straight back to the verses right? so the last two chords going into the first chord of the verse would be: D G Bm
if you were to think about this in terms of D major, the functions would be I IV vi. that is not syntactically correct. a IV usually lead to a ii or a V, not a vi.
by analyzing like this, Mahler is creating tonicization. he moves from V to I (in G major), and then directly back to vi of D major. thats the difference between modulation and tonicization. since he went IMMEDIATELY resolved back to the key of I, its a tonicization. if the song went to the key of G and then just hung out there for a while, it would be modulation
any questions?