As a musicologist with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of musical theory, I find the concept you're asking about to be quite fascinating. When a minor song ends on a major chord, it's often referred to as a Picardy third. This term describes a harmonic technique where the final chord of a piece in a minor key resolves to a major chord, typically the tonic major chord. The effect is one of resolution and brightness, which can be quite surprising and pleasing to the ear, especially after a piece that has been predominantly minor in character.

The Picardy third gets its name from the fact that the major third is introduced into the final chord, which is otherwise expected to be minor in a piece that is in a minor key. This is a common practice in Western music and can be found in a variety of genres, from classical to contemporary pop music.

The Picardy cadence, as it's sometimes called, is a specific type of cadence that uses this technique. Cadences are patterns of chords that signal the end of a musical phrase or piece. When a piece in a minor key ends with a major chord, it creates a sense of finality and satisfaction, much like a major key piece would.

In French, this is known as a tiers de Picardie, which translates to "third of Picardy." The name is thought to have originated from the region of Picardy in France, where this technique was particularly popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

The use of a Picardy third can have a profound impact on the emotional quality of a piece. It can transform a somber or melancholic minor key piece into one that feels more optimistic or resolved. This shift can be quite dramatic, and composers often use it to create a specific emotional effect or to surprise the listener.

It's important to note that while the Picardy third is a common technique, it's not the only way to end a minor key piece. Some pieces may end on a minor chord, which can leave a more ambiguous or melancholic impression. The choice of whether to use a Picardy third or not can be a significant part of a composer's artistic expression.

In summary, the Picardy third is a musical device that brings a piece in a minor key to a close with a major chord, creating a sense of resolution and brightness. It's a technique that has been used for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for composers looking to add a touch of surprise and warmth to their music.

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A Picardy third, Picardy cadence (/?p?k?rdi/) or, in French, tierce picarde, is a major chord of the tonic at the end of a musical section that is either modal or in a minor key.read more >>