fifth a whole step ["parallel" or relative chords], they may also be formed by lowering (major) or raising (minor) the root a half-step to wechsel, the leading tone or leitton. Major Leittonwechselklänge, formed by lowering the root a half step. Minor Leittonwechselklänge, formed by raising the root (US)/fifth (German) a half step. 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 (Am and C share C & E; Em and C share E & G). A chord should be analysed as a Tcp rather than Dp or sP particularly at cadential points, for example at an interrupted cadence, where it substitutes the tonic. It is most easily recognised in a minor key since it creates an ascending semitone step at the end of the cadence by moving from the major dominant chord to the minor counter parallel: Ex. t - s - D - tCp Em - Am - B - C where C is located a major third below Em Ex. T - S - D - tCp F - Bb - C - Db where Db is located a major third below the minor tonic Fm In four-part harmony, the Tcp usually has a doubled third to avoid consecutive fifths or octaves. This further emphasises its coherency with the tonic, since the third of the minor key counter parallel is the same as the tonic root which thus is doubled. See also Borrowed chord Chord substitution Chromatic mediant Closely related key Enharmonic Harmonic parallelism List of major/minor compositions Subsidiary chord Voice leading References External links "Chord Functions", NiklasAndreasson.se. “A Guide to the Terminology of German Harmony”, in Studies on the Origin of Harmonic Tonality, pp. xi–xv (Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1990). "Published Papers", Robert Gjerdingen. Chords Diatonic functions Riemannian theory de:Parallelklang pt:Notas relativas sv:Funktionsanalys (musik)#Parallellackord