Parallel and counter parallel: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Tonic counter parallel in C minor.png|thumb|Tonic and tonic counter parallel in C minor: Cm and A{{music|b}}M chords {{audio|Tonic counter parallel in C minor.mid|Play}}.]]

In [[music theory]], theThe '''counter parallel''' is terminology used in German theory derived mainly from [[Hugo Riemann]] to refer to (US:) [[relative (music)|relative]] (German: parallel) [[diatonic function]]s and is abbreviated Tcp in major and tCp in minor (Tkp respectively tKp in Riemann's diction). The chord can be seen as the "[[tonic parallel]] reversed" and is in a major key the same chord as the [[dominant parallel]] (Dp) and in a minor key equal to the [[subdominant parallel]] (sP); yet, it has another function. According to Riemann the chord is derived through ''Leittonwechselklänge'' (German: "[[leading-tone]] contrast chords").

For example, Am is the tonic parallel of C, thus, Em is the counter parallel of C. The usual parallel chord in a major key is a minor third below the root and the counter parallel is a major third above. In a minor key the intervals are reversed: the tonic parallel (e.g. Eb in Cm) is a minor third above, and the counter parallel (e.g. Ab in Cm) is a major third below. Both the parallel and the counter parallel have two notes in common with the [[Tonic (music)|tonic]] (Am and C share C & E; Em and C share E & G).