Functional Harmony

Definition

Functional harmony refers to the system of chords and their relationships that create a sense of movement and resolution within a piece of music. This concept emphasizes how different chords serve specific roles in relation to the tonic, dominant, and subdominant, guiding the listener through a musical narrative. It is essential in understanding chord progressions, the use of triads and seventh chords, and how these elements work together in harmonic dictation and accompaniment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Functional harmony categorizes chords based on their roles: tonic (I), dominant (V), and subdominant (IV), allowing composers to create tension and resolution.
2. The use of seventh chords adds complexity to functional harmony, providing richer textures and expanding possibilities for modulation.
3. In functional harmony, secondary dominants are used to temporarily tonicize chords other than the main tonic, adding interest to chord progressions.
4. The understanding of scale degree names helps identify the function of each chord within the context of functional harmony.
5. Harmonization techniques often utilize functional harmony principles, creating effective accompaniments that support melodies through chord progressions.

Review Questions

• How do triads and seventh chords contribute to the concept of functional harmony?
  • Triads and seventh chords are essential building blocks in functional harmony because they define the basic harmonic functions within a piece. Triads serve as the primary chords that establish tonality, while seventh chords add depth and complexity, allowing for greater movement between harmonies. Understanding how these chords function helps musicians create more effective chord progressions that lead to resolution, enhancing the overall musical narrative.
• Discuss how harmonic dictation relates to functional harmony and why it's important for musicians.
  • Harmonic dictation requires musicians to accurately identify and transcribe chord progressions based on their functional roles within a musical piece. This skill is crucial because it reinforces one's understanding of functional harmony by requiring active listening and analysis. Being able to recognize how chords interact and support each other through tension and resolution ultimately strengthens a musician's ability to perform, compose, or analyze music effectively.
• Evaluate the role of secondary dominants in functional harmony and their impact on modulation.
  • Secondary dominants play a critical role in functional harmony by temporarily emphasizing chords other than the tonic, thereby creating tension that resolves back to the original key. This technique enriches chord progressions by introducing new tonal centers before returning home. The ability to use secondary dominants allows composers to modulate between keys smoothly, providing contrast and excitement in their music while maintaining coherence through functional relationships.

Related terms

Tonic: The tonic is the first degree of a scale and serves as the home base or point of resolution for a piece of music.

Diatonic Harmony: Diatonic harmony refers to the chords that are built from the notes of a specific scale, primarily focusing on the natural notes within that scale.

Chord Progression: A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in succession, which forms the harmonic backbone of a musical piece.