The tonic chord is the chord built on the first scale degree of a key. It provides a sense of resolution and stability in music.
Think of the tonic chord as the home base in a game of musical hide-and-seek. Just like how returning to home base feels safe and familiar, landing on the tonic chord gives us a feeling of rest and completion in music.
Dominant Chord: The dominant chord is built on the fifth scale degree and creates tension that leads back to the tonic. It's like a springboard that propels us back to home base.
Subdominant Chord: The subdominant chord is built on the fourth scale degree and adds a touch of tension before resolving to the tonic. It's like taking a detour before finally arriving at home base.
Cadence: A cadence is a series of chords or notes that create a sense of finality or closure. Many cadences end with the tonic chord, solidifying its role as the ultimate destination in music.
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