Secondary dominants

Definition

Secondary dominants are chords that act as the dominant (V) of a chord other than the tonic in a key. They are used to temporarily tonicize a chord, creating a momentary sense of resolution before returning to the original key. This technique adds harmonic interest and helps in smooth transitions between different tonal areas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secondary dominants are typically notated as V/x, where x represents the chord being tonicized.
2. They can create tension and release by leading into the chord they are tonicizing, enhancing the emotional impact of a progression.
3. In functional harmony, secondary dominants often resolve to the tonic chord of their target key before moving back to the original key.
4. These chords can be used in both major and minor keys and can enhance common chord progressions by adding chromatic movement.
5. Secondary dominants are frequently employed in classical and popular music styles to enrich harmonic texture and support melodic lines.

Review Questions

• How do secondary dominants function within harmonic progressions, and why are they important?
  • Secondary dominants function by temporarily emphasizing a diatonic chord as if it were a tonic. They create tension that resolves to this chord, thus enhancing the overall harmonic progression. This technique is important because it adds richness and complexity to music, helping to guide listeners through changes in tonality while maintaining an overarching sense of structure.
• In what ways can secondary dominants contribute to modulation in a piece of music?
  • Secondary dominants can facilitate modulation by introducing new tonal areas without abrupt changes. By tonicizing a chord that belongs to a different key, composers can create smoother transitions between sections. This method helps maintain coherence in harmonic language, allowing for more fluid shifts while still providing moments of tension and resolution.
• Evaluate how secondary dominants can affect the emotional narrative of a musical piece.
  • Secondary dominants significantly influence the emotional narrative by manipulating tension and resolution. When employed effectively, they create heightened moments of anticipation before resolving into familiar or unexpected chords, which can evoke various feelings. This use of chromaticism and temporary tonicization allows composers to shape emotional arcs, engage listeners more deeply, and add layers to the storytelling within the music.

Related terms

Tonicization: The process of treating a diatonic chord as if it were a tonic by preceding it with its own dominant chord.

Diatonic Harmony: Harmony that is derived from the notes of a specific scale, focusing on chords built from the scale degrees without alterations.

Modulation: The process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music, often using techniques like pivot chords or direct modulation.