5181 / 18210 · Workshop 34 — “Invitation”: Minor-Key Gravity, Descending Bass, Dominant Chains, and Hearing Long Harmonic Sentences← prev⊞ allnext →
34.89The three scales of harmonic thought
You should now be able to think simultaneously at three levels:
Micro
What is happening inside this chord?
3rd, 7th, extension.
Meso
What packet is this?
ii–V, dominant chain, chromatic connector.
Macro
Where is this phrase ultimately going?
temporary tonic versus structural tonic.
Advanced playing requires all three—but macro should lead.