key term - Temporary Tonic

Definition

A temporary tonic is a chord or key that briefly takes on the role of the tonic within a musical passage, even though it is not the established tonic of the overall piece. This concept is closely tied to tonicization, where a non-tonic chord is treated as if it were a tonic through the use of secondary dominant chords or other harmonic techniques, creating a momentary shift in tonal center.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Temporary tonics usually appear in the context of a progression that leads to them through a secondary dominant, providing a brief feeling of resolution.
2. While a temporary tonic creates a sense of arrival, it ultimately resolves back to the original tonic, maintaining the overall structure of the piece.
3. Temporary tonics can create unexpected turns in music, allowing composers to explore new tonalities without fully committing to them.
4. Often found in modulation sections, temporary tonics help build tension and excitement before resolving back to the main key.
5. Recognizing temporary tonics can enhance your understanding of harmonic progressions and how composers manipulate tonal centers.

Review Questions

• How does a temporary tonic enhance musical expression when compared to a static tonic?
  • A temporary tonic enhances musical expression by introducing brief moments of tonal variation and surprise. When composers use a temporary tonic, they create a sense of tension and resolution that can evoke different emotions. This contrasts with a static tonic, which provides stability but may lack the dynamic interest generated by shifting tonal centers. The use of temporary tonics keeps listeners engaged by adding layers to harmonic progressions.
• In what ways do secondary dominants contribute to the establishment of a temporary tonic within a piece?
  • Secondary dominants play a crucial role in establishing temporary tonics by leading into chords that are treated as tonics for short passages. When a secondary dominant resolves to its corresponding chord, that chord assumes tonic-like qualities for the moment, creating an illusion of resolution. This technique allows composers to create interest by shifting tonal focus without altering the overall key structure, enriching harmonic progressions.
• Evaluate how recognizing temporary tonics can impact your interpretation and performance of a piece, particularly in relation to emotional delivery.
  • Recognizing temporary tonics in a piece significantly impacts interpretation and performance by guiding emotional delivery and shaping dynamics. Understanding where these moments occur allows performers to emphasize shifts in tonal focus, enhancing expressiveness. By highlighting the tension created through secondary dominants and their resolutions into temporary tonics, musicians can convey deeper emotional nuances, making their performances more compelling and engaging for listeners.

Related terms

Tonicization:

The process of making a chord function temporarily as the tonic through various harmonic techniques, often involving secondary dominants.

Secondary Dominant: A dominant chord that resolves to a chord other than the tonic, which serves to tonicize that new chord for a brief moment.

Pivot Chord: A chord that is common to both the original key and the new key, facilitating a smooth modulation between them.