Lecture Notes: The Neapolitan Sixth Chord

Introduction

• Presenter: Seth Monahan
• Topic: Neapolitan Sixth Chord
• Music Example: Schubert's "Demula under Bach"
  • G minor key
  • First eight bars are gloomy
  • Predominant use of Neapolitan 6th chord

Understanding the Neapolitan Sixth Chord

• Definition: A flat 2 major triad in first inversion
• Construction:
  • Root is the lowered scale degree two
  • Always includes scale degree four
• Terminology:
  • "Sixth" refers to the old term for first inversion (6-3 chord)

Musical Example and Application

• Basic Progression in C minor:
  • Vanilla progression: 2 diminished 6
  • Neapolitan 6th: Change the chord to flat 2 major 6
• Sound Characteristics:
  • Darkest sounding major chord
  • Chromatically altered root often in the melody
• Voicing:
  • Lowered scale degree two on top
  • Often moves to the leading tone over the dominant

Melodic and Harmonic Use

• Melodic Interval: Diminished third
• Harmonization:
  • Melodic scale degree one often harmonized
  • Can use cadential 6-4 under tonic in melody

Key Characteristics

• Use in Major and Minor Keys:
  • Spelled the same way
  • More common in minor keys
• Harmonization Options:
  • Cadential 6-4
  • Applied 7 of 5

Examples in Classical Music

1. Bach's B Minor Mass:

   • Use of syncopation and neapolitan chord
   • Melody constrained by neapolitan's "gravitational pull"

2. Mozart's E Minor Violin Sonata:

   • Post-cadential use of neapolitan
   • Predominant region prolonged

3. Chopin's F Minor Nocturne:

   • Neapolitan in continuation of sentence
   • Scale degree 4 in melody instead of lowered 2

4. Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata:

   • Forceful use of neapolitan in continuation

5. Schubert's C Minor Quartet:

   • Dramatic climax with neapolitan

6. Mozart's Piano Sonata (Early Work):

   • Descending bass line leading to neapolitan in predominant region

Historical Context of the Neapolitan Sixth

• Origin of the Name:
  • First prominent use by the Neapolitan School
  • Associated with Alessandro Scarlatti
• Use in Folk Music:
  • Possibly influenced by Sicilian folk music

Conclusion

• Discussion:

  • Is "Neapolitan" a silly name?
  • Importance and influence of Neapolitan chord in classical music

• Next Topic: Passing Tonic 6-4