Roman Numeral Analysis

This lesson is part of the Fundamentals of Twelve-Tone Equal Temperament category.

Objectives

• Students will be familiar with harmonic macroanalysis and roman numeral analysis.
• Students will be familiar with the names of individual scale degrees (tonic, supertonic, etc.)
• Student will be able to derive the Roman Numerals in a major or minor key
• Student will be able to label chords with the proper Roman Numeral in major and minor keys
• Student will understand the concept of harmonic rhythm

Resources

Readings

• Music Theory.Net:
  • Diatonic Triads
  • Roman Numeral Analysis: Triads
  • Diatonic Sevenths
  • Roman numeral Analysis: Sevenths
• Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People:
  • Diatonic Triads
  • Diatonic Seventh Chords
• Tobey, A Feeling for Harmony:
  • Chapter 3B: The Tonal, Major-Minor System
• Hutchinson, Music Theory for the 21st Century Classroom:
  • Chapter 7.1: Roman Numeral Chord Symbols
  • Chapter 7.2: Diatonic Chords in Major
  • Chapter 7.3: Diatonic Chords in Minor
  • Chapter 8.3: Roman Numerals of Diatonic Seventh Chords
  • Chapter 6.4: Analyzing Chords
  • Chapter 9.2: Harmonic Rhythm

Tools

• MusicTheory.Net: Sample Analysis

Class Activities

• Discussion and definition of the concept of harmonic analysis
• Discussion and definition of the concept of Roman numeral analysis
• Roman numeral analysis of music from different genres and time periods

Assignments

• Translation of a macroanalyzed chord progression into Roman numeral analysis