Secondary Dominants

Definition

Secondary dominants are chords that are borrowed from a different key and used to create tension and lead to a chord other than the tonic. They function as dominant chords in relation to the following chord.

Related terms

Tonicization: Tonicization occurs when a secondary dominant is used to temporarily establish a new tonic, creating a brief tonal shift.

Temporary Tonic: A temporary tonic is the new key established by tonicization, where the secondary dominant functions as the dominant chord leading to this temporary tonic.

Dominant Chord: The dominant chord is built on the fifth scale degree and has a strong pull towards resolving back to the tonic.