ABSTRACT
Modal mixture involves changing the quality of a chord by applying accidentals to one or more of its chord members. The most common form of modal mixture is modal borrowing, where a major- or minor-mode work “borrows” chords from the parallel key. Quality conversion involves changing the quality of a diatonic chord in a manner that does not constitute modal borrowing. Franz Schubert employs several chromatic mediants in his song “Die Sterne,” lending harmonic color to the musical surface. A borrowed chord serves the same function as its diatonic counterpart, but its functionality may be strengthened or weakened by chromatic alterations. Modal mixture expands the palette of harmonic colors available to composers. There are two forms of mixture: modal borrowing and quality conversion. Chromatic mediants not only surface as colorful chords in musical passages—they also become key areas, such as when a piece modulates from A major to F major.
