Tierce de Picardie meaning

Tierce de Picardie is a musical term referring to the major chord at the end of a piece in a minor key.


Tierce de Picardie definitions

Word backwards ecreit ed eidraciP
Part of speech The term "tierce de Picardie" is a musical term and does not have a traditional part of speech. In music theory, it refers to the practice of ending a piece of music in a major key when it has been primarily in a minor key.
Syllabic division tier-ce de Pi-car-die
Plural The plural of "tierce de Picardie" is "tierces de Picardie".
Total letters 16
Vogais (3) i,e,a
Consonants (5) t,r,c,d,p

The Tierce de Picardie is a musical term that refers to a specific musical effect often used in classical music. This technique involves ending a piece of music in a major key, even if it was predominantly in a minor key throughout. This unexpected shift in the final chord creates a sense of resolution and closure for the listener.

Origin and History

The term "Tierce de Picardie" originated in France, specifically in the Picardy region. It dates back to the Baroque period and was commonly used by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Henry Purcell.

Function and Significance

The Tierce de Picardie serves a crucial function in music composition by providing a sense of completeness and finality to a piece. It adds a touch of surprise and optimism to the conclusion, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.

Impact on Emotions

This technique has a profound impact on the emotional response of the listener. By ending a piece in a major key, it can evoke feelings of joy, triumph, or hope, contrasting with the potentially somber or melancholic tone established earlier in the composition.

Key Elements

The Tierce de Picardie is characterized by the use of a major chord as the final chord in a composition that is predominantly in a minor key. This change creates a shift in tonality that can be both surprising and satisfying for the listener.

In conclusion, the Tierce de Picardie is a beautiful and powerful musical technique that has stood the test of time. Its ability to evoke strong emotions and provide a sense of closure makes it a valuable tool for composers across genres.


Tierce de Picardie Examples

  1. At the end of the symphony, the orchestra surprised the audience with a tierce de Picardie, switching from a minor key to a major key.
  2. The tierce de Picardie added a sense of uplifting resolution to the melancholic ballad.
  3. In the baroque era, composers commonly used tierce de Picardie to conclude pieces on a bright and joyful note.
  4. The sudden shift to a major chord at the end of the song, also known as a tierce de Picardie, caught the listener off guard.
  5. The tierce de Picardie was a popular technique used in Renaissance choral music to create a sense of closure and conclusion.
  6. The tierce de Picardie is a harmonic device that has been used in various genres of music throughout history.
  7. When the choir sang the final note as a major chord instead of a minor chord, it was a perfect example of a tierce de Picardie.
  8. The tierce de Picardie is a subtle yet effective way to leave a lasting impression on the listener.
  9. The unexpected major chord in the tierce de Picardie provided a sense of hope and optimism in an otherwise somber piece.
  10. Learning about the tierce de Picardie gave the music students a new appreciation for the complexity of musical harmony.


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  • Updated 02/05/2024 - 03:09:53