4.11: La (Scale Degree 6) in the Bass at Beginnings, Middles, and Endings

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Mark Gotham, Kyle Gullings, Chelsey Hamm, Bryn Hughes, Brian Jarvis; Megan Lavengood, and John Peterson
VIVA - Virtual Library of Virginia

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Key Takeaways

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At phrase beginnings, la is often used to prolong tonic in two ways:
- harmonized with IV⁶ in the progression $\mathrm{I-IV^6-V^6_5-I}$ (Examples 1 and3)
- harmonized with plagal (IV⁶) in the progression $\mathrm{I-IV^6-I^6}$ (Examples 2 and4)
At phrase middles, la is often used:
- in a deceptive motion (V⁽⁷⁾–vi) (Examples 5 and7)
- to connect the tonic (T) and strong predominant (PD) areas, harmonized with vi (Examples 6 and8)
At phrase endings, la is often used:
- to create a phrygian half cadence (iv⁶–V in minor) (Examples 7 and9)
- as a “stand-in” for the expected strong PD note fa $(\hat4)$ (Example 10)

Chapter Playlist

Overview: uses of la (scale degree 6)

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At phrase beginnings

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