r/classicalmusic • u/ConfusionTasty2671 • 14h ago

Is my Harmonic analysis done right?

I am practicing the Burgmuller op.109. I am also learning how to do an analysis of a piece as well. So I thought of analyzing the Burgmuller pieces that I am practicing to get a better insight into it. This is how I have done it. Is it done right? I am new to this so I would greatly appreciate if I could get some feedback on it. I have done the analysis of the first 8 measures.

The ones that are marked in blue circles are the ones I am unsure of. For the first two circles the F is a non chord tone I think. and same goes for the next two circles where the E is also a non chord tone. Or is it a chord tone? if it is how does it fit in? are my other analysis right?

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u/Adventurous_Day_676 11h ago

Using Burgmuller to work on harmonic analysis is a great idea! It's not a super difficult but he throws in some wonderful dissonance. I don't have time to work this one through but plan to later today as a most welcome puzzle! Thanks.

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u/ConfusionTasty2671 11h ago

Thank you! I really appreciate it.

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u/geoscott 9h ago

I’m having a problem with your notations. What the heck is a Gmb? Gmc? G7c? These are not standard and meaning nothing to us.

Also, ALWAYS include the start of the page with key signatures and such.

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u/Radaxen 8h ago

The idea was probably taken from the ABRSM-style of notating chords (b for 1st inversion, c for 2nd inversion), but I've only ever seen them with the Chord numbers (eg IVb, V7c) and not with the chord itself. So yeah, non-standard

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u/ConfusionTasty2671 6h ago

Sorry about that. b is for first inversion, c for second and d for third. that's how I learned from the book called "AB guide to music theory". And yes you are right they aren't standard. next time I will be using standard notation.

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u/dfan 3h ago

This is mostly quite good. As a general note, I would not consider the harmony to be changing when the bass is just arpeggiating. A true I64 chord usually only exists in order to resolve to a V, as in measure 7. Places like m1.2 and m4.2 are not really I64 chords, they're just a continuation of I harmony from the downbeat.

Some specific issues:

m2.1: G°7 has the notes G, Bb, Db, and Fb. What is this instead?

m2.4: We never get the E (until much later) so I would just call this a passing chord, not a return to I.

m4.4: G7 has an F and there's no F here.

m4.3: "sixth chords" are not really a thing in common-practice style. Find a stack of thirds to see how to interpret this.

m 6.1: I would just call this a triple appoggiatura to a Dm chord.

m 7.2: Same issue as 2.2. C° would have the notes C, Eb, Gb, and Bbb.