Polytonal Cadence

For those of you who dont know what polytonality is let me explain. Polytonality is the simultaneous sounding of multiple chords with distinct roots to portray multiple tonal centers.

K, so anyway, I dont even want to try to explain what I've done in great detail, but basically I've got 2, distinct, simultaneous chords (AM and DM to be precise) both coming together and resolving to an EMsus4. It creates a really cool, very full, effect which resolves into 2 different secondary functions though moving to the same exact chord. Though only the AM-EM is an actual cadence, you still hear 2 district resolutions sounding at the same time.

Has anyone else done this? If not you all need to go down to your piano and try it right now. There are limitless possibilities! :w00t: L8R!

Do you then resolve the suspension? It sounds nice as is, but not at all like the end of a phrase, I think you have to resolve the suspension and then go on to an AM chord to really complete the effect. Maybe I'm putting the chords in different inversions?

Do you then resolve the suspension? It sounds nice as is, but not at all like the end of a phrase, I think you have to resolve the suspension and then go on to an AM chord to really complete the effect. Maybe I'm putting the chords in different inversions?

Its actually used in the middle of the phrase, kind of as a half cadence. Its supposed to sound somewhat incomplete as it then goes on...to something...that I haven't written yet...and yes, I do resolve the suspension.

I dont usually share my pieces until they are complete, but I went ahead and extracted the phrase in which this technique is used. Its a .mus file. if you cant open it just go download the freakin finale 08 demo or something...:mellow:

oh, and the text for the baritones and the basses got screwed up for some reason. Its supposed to be just like everything else.

Polytonal Cadence.MUS

Kinda like Steely Dan's "Black Cow."

Going in to the main chorous they use a D/E chord to an A chord.

Question: which chord do you have on the bottom?

If it's the D, then it's more like a Dmaj9 chord...Either way sounds okay, but the E chord sounds like it would resolve back into A or something....if the piece is in A, that is...

~Kal

So...how exactly do you make those....red notes (yes, not the topic, sue me)

Kinda like Steely Dan's "Black Cow."

Going in to the main chorous they use a D/E chord to an A chord.

Question: which chord do you have on the bottom?

If it's the D, then it's more like a Dmaj9 chord...Either way sounds okay, but the E chord sounds like it would resolve back into A or something....if the piece is in A, that is...

~Kal

the chord is extremely common dominant chord in jazz/rock/pop, most commonly reffered to as the "sus chord" (it's a seventh chord with suspended 2nd and 4th)...i think it shows up in impressionism too...and in Franck's violin sonata

So...how exactly do you make those....red notes (yes, not the topic, sue me)

Its called a second layer. In finale look down at the lower left area of the screen. You should see 4 buttons marked 1-4. These indicate 4 separate layers (1=black, 2=red, 3=green, 4=blue). Its kind of tough to explain exactly what they do, but you probably could tell for the most part in my example.

Kinda like Steely Dan's "Black Cow."

Going in to the main chorous they use a D/E chord to an A chord.

Question: which chord do you have on the bottom?

If it's the D, then it's more like a Dmaj9 chord...Either way sounds okay, but the E chord sounds like it would resolve back into A or something....if the piece is in A, that is...

~Kal

The Polytone is actually the 3rd to last chord (where the basses come in). The succeeding notes (where the basses move up to E) are meant to be more of an anticipation.

And yes, I mentioned this before, but I'll say it again: This is in the middle of the actual phrase. Its more of a half cadence.

The function of that chord is simply a IVmaj7 in the key of A. I don't particularly hear it as a polychord but a IV-V progression. It's a half cadence as you've said.

Not to put anyone on the spot, but QcCowboy would be the guy to ask about polychords.

Steve