Tierce de Picardie facts for kids

A Tierce de Picardie (pronounced "tee-AIRSS duh pee-car-DEE") is a special way to end a piece of music. Imagine a song that sounds a bit sad or serious because it's in a minor key. A Tierce de Picardie happens when the very last chord of that song suddenly changes to sound bright and happy, like it's in a major key. It's like a surprise happy ending!

Why Composers Used the Tierce de Picardie

This musical trick was very popular from the 1500s to the 1600s. Composers used it a lot to finish songs written in a minor key. Music in a minor key often sounds a bit sad, serious, or even tense. This is because one of its main notes, the "third" note of the scale, is slightly lower than in a major key.

When a piece ends with a major chord instead of a minor one, it creates a feeling of relief or brightness. It's like the tension of the minor key is finally resolved into something happy and complete. For example, if a song is in A minor, its main chord would normally have a C natural note. But with a Tierce de Picardie, the very last chord would use a C sharp instead, making the final chord sound like A major.

Famous Examples in Music

Many famous composers used the Tierce de Picardie in their music. Johann Sebastian Bach, who lived in the 1700s, used it quite often. A great example is the first part of his "Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra". Another piece by Bach, his "Fantasia and Fugue in G minor BWV542", has a fugue (a type of musical chase) that ends with this special major chord.

The well-known folk song "Greensleeves" also ends with a Tierce de Picardie. It's a subtle but effective way to bring a sense of finality and brightness to the end of a song.

Origin of the Name

The term "Tierce de Picardie" was first used in 1767 by a writer named Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He wrote about it in his "Dictionary of Music". "Tierce" means "third" in French, referring to the third note of the scale that changes. However, no one is completely sure why he added "Picardie." Picardy is a region in the north of France, but its connection to this musical ending remains a mystery!

Ludwig van Beethoven's famous "Fifth Symphony" starts in C minor, but its last movement is in a major key. This is not a Tierce de Picardie, though. The term only applies when just the very last chord changes from minor to major, not when a whole section or movement changes key.

Images for kids

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  From Ich habe genug, BWV 82

See also

In Spanish: Tercera de Picardía para niños