Secondary Dominants

Definition

Secondary dominants are chords that function as the dominant (V) of a chord other than the tonic in a given key, creating tension and leading to a resolution to that chord. They are a common way to add harmonic interest and variety to chord progressions, making them an essential element in tonal music. By introducing these non-diatonic chords, composers can create temporary modulations and enhance the expressive quality of their music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secondary dominants are typically notated as V/x, where x is the scale degree of the chord being tonicized.
2. They create a brief sense of modulation by emphasizing the non-tonic chord before resolving back to the original key.
3. Common secondary dominants include V7/ii (the dominant of ii) and V7/V (the dominant of V), often found in classical and popular music.
4. Using secondary dominants can enhance emotional expression, adding tension and release to music.
5. Composers often use secondary dominants to prolong harmonic interest and create smooth transitions between different tonal centers.

Review Questions

• How do secondary dominants contribute to harmonic progression in tonal music?
  • Secondary dominants enhance harmonic progression by introducing temporary dominant chords that lead to non-tonic chords. This creates tension that resolves to the emphasized chord, enriching the overall movement of music. By tonicizing these chords, composers can create a more dynamic and engaging musical experience.
• Analyze the role of secondary dominants in creating emotional tension within a musical piece.
  • Secondary dominants play a crucial role in building emotional tension by temporarily shifting focus away from the tonic. This shift introduces unexpected harmonic changes that can evoke feelings of suspense or anticipation. When the music resolves back to the tonic or another stable chord, it creates a satisfying release, heightening the emotional impact of the piece.
• Evaluate how secondary dominants interact with diatonic chords in a composition, and discuss their effect on functional harmony.
  • Secondary dominants interact with diatonic chords by temporarily altering the expected progression within a piece. They allow composers to expand harmonic vocabulary beyond diatonic limitations, creating richer textures and more varied resolutions. This interaction not only enhances functional harmony but also enables composers to explore complex relationships between chords, ultimately leading to innovative musical expressions.

Related terms

Tonicization: The process of temporarily emphasizing a chord other than the tonic by treating it as a new tonic through the use of secondary dominants or other means.

Diatonic Chords: Chords that are built using only the notes from a specific key signature, forming the basic harmonic structure of that key.

Functional Harmony: A system of chord progression based on the relationships and functions of chords, emphasizing how they resolve and lead into each other.