Application of virtual pitch theory in music analysis
Lloreng Balsach · Journal of New Music Research · 1997
In the course of this article a model of harmonic analysis is worked out based on certain properties of the auditory system, which I think will shed new light on the study of cadences and local harmonic resolutions. This model consists basically of extracting the two main fundamentals (roots) which are to be found in 93.3% of chords of less than 6 notes. To do this the basic concepts of virtual pitch are applied but only those harmonics are taken into account which are in a prime position in the first seven, which in our thesis include the rest of the harmonics as far as the human auditory is concerned. With this model new information is found about the “internal” harmonic tension which is created by every single note and the tendencies of chords towards resolutions. Other models which apply the theory of virtual pitch in harmonic analysis are compared and discussed.