Harmonic Resources Used by Chopin

This article will discuss some of the harmonic resources employed by Chopin.

Passing Diminished Seventh Chords

Measures 4 and 5 contain a C# diminished seventh chord (C#, E, G, Bb) which resolves to an A minor seventh chord (A, C, E, G):

The following example shows these chords as written by Chopin (1). The same chords, rewritten in root position (2). Finally, we provide an example of how this chord is often used in jazz and other styles to transition from a minor seventh chord to another (3).

We find this chord in the Antonio Carlos Jobim song Wave (Jobim was a great admirer of Chopin's music). It appears written as a Bb diminished seventh chord:

Augmented Ninth Chord

The augmented ninth chord is a common term in jazz music theory, but traditional harmony books seldom talk about it. Chopin provides an early example of this chord in bar 12. The B dominant chord first appears with two appoggiaturas (G and C). At the end of the bar, he finally presents the augmented ninth chord (C double sharp, written as D natural):