Polytonality

This lesson is part of the Harmony category.

Objectives

• Students will become familiar with the concepts of multiple tonal centers, polychords and polytonality.

Resources

Readings

• Hutchinson, Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom
  • Chapter 32: Impressionism and Extended Tonality
    • 32.3: Polychords
• Magnuson, Sound Patterns: "Primitivism: B. Vocabulary"

Class Activities

• Discussion and definition of polychords, polytonality and obscure key centers
• Tonal analysis of music from different genres and time periods.
• Composition and improvisation in a polytonal style

Assignments

• Identification and analysis of polychordal and polytonal techniques in written and recorded music