Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

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Primary and Secondary Triads of the Harmonic Minor Scale

Triads of a minor scale can be divided into primary and secondary triads. Just as in the major scale, the primary
triads are the tonic, subdominant, and dominant. The secondarytriads are the supertonic, mediant, submediant,
and leading tone.

Theory Trainer

Exercise 13aIdentify roman numerals when given a triad: major and minor keys

Harmonizing Music in a Minor Key Using Roman Numerals

Exercise 8—Class Exercise

We first studied Henry Mancini’s “Charade” in Module 9. There, it was written in E minor. Below, the melody
is shown transposed to A minor. We can use the roman numerals given below the bass clef to harmonize the
melody. Draw triads in the bass clef to accompany the melody.

• Using the roman numerals given below each line, notate the corresponding triad; you may refer back to
  Exercise 6 (triads of the A minor scale) to assist you.


• Place the triads in the bass clef directly beneath the melody note in the treble clef that corresponds to the
  triad. Be sure each measure has the correct number of beats.


• Play your composition. Did it sound like you expected it to? Notice the unusual extended use of the tonic triad
  in the first line and the “fleeting” use of the III+in m. 14. (Both are used to create “color” in the composition.)

“Charade” (H. Mancini)

MODULE 13

MINOR SCALE TRIADS (Harmonic Form)

Primary triads Secondary triads

i Tonic iiº Supertonic

iv Subdominant III+ Mediant

V Dominant VI Submediant

viiº Leading tone

Key: Am i V

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