Tonicization

Definition

Tonicization is the process of temporarily treating a chord other than the tonic as if it were the tonic, creating a brief sense of resolution. This is often achieved through secondary dominants or leading tone chords that lead to the new tonic. By tonicizing a chord, composers can create interest and movement within a progression, enhancing harmonic complexity and color in the music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tonicization can be indicated through various symbols in music notation, such as a secondary dominant or an altered chord leading to the new 'tonic'.
2. When tonicizing a chord, it is common for composers to use a V7 chord (dominant seventh) that resolves to the newly tonicized chord, providing a strong pull towards that harmony.
3. Tonicization can occur in both major and minor keys, allowing for rich harmonic textures regardless of the tonal center.
4. The process of tonicization can be extended by using multiple secondary dominants sequentially, which creates a chain of temporary tonics leading through various chords.
5. Understanding tonicization is crucial for analyzing more complex harmonic structures and progressions in Western music, particularly in classical and jazz genres.

Review Questions

• How does tonicization enhance harmonic movement within a musical piece?
  • Tonicization enhances harmonic movement by temporarily shifting the listener's focus from the established tonic to another chord treated as if it were the tonic. This creates a sense of resolution and tension as the music moves towards these new tonal centers. Composers achieve this effect primarily through secondary dominants or leading tone chords, which introduce unexpected harmonies that keep listeners engaged and add depth to the musical narrative.
• Compare and contrast tonicization with modulation. How do both concepts contribute to harmonic exploration in music?
  • Tonicization involves briefly treating a non-tonic chord as if it were the tonic without changing the overall key of the piece, while modulation refers to a more permanent shift from one key to another. Both concepts expand harmonic exploration; however, tonicization creates temporary diversions within a key for expressive purposes, while modulation often signifies larger structural changes in a composition. Together, they enrich the musical landscape by providing varied emotional colors and pathways through different tonalities.
• Evaluate how understanding tonicization impacts one's ability to analyze complex harmonic structures in compositions.
  • Understanding tonicization is essential for analyzing complex harmonic structures because it provides insight into how composers manipulate harmony to create tension and resolution. By recognizing how secondary dominants and leading tone chords function within progressions, musicians can better interpret the emotional content and structural design of pieces. This knowledge not only deepens appreciation for compositional techniques but also enhances performance skills by informing how to approach phrasing and dynamics based on harmonic context.

Related terms

Secondary Dominant: A chord that is the dominant (V) of a chord other than the tonic, used to create tension and resolution leading to that chord.

Leading Tone Chord: A chord built on the seventh scale degree that typically resolves to the tonic, often used to tonicize the tonic in a smooth and melodic way.

Diatonic Harmony: Harmony that is derived from the notes of a specific scale or key, forming the basis for understanding how chords relate to each other within that key.