Functional Harmony

Definition

Functional harmony refers to the way chords are organized and used to create a sense of movement and resolution within a piece of music. This concept is rooted in the roles that different chords play in establishing a tonal center, guiding listeners through harmonic progressions, and shaping the overall structure of a composition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Functional harmony is based on the relationship between chords, specifically how they lead from one to another, creating tension and resolution.
2. The primary chords involved in functional harmony are the tonic, subdominant, and dominant, each fulfilling specific roles in harmonic progressions.
3. Common progressions like I-IV-V-I illustrate how functional harmony establishes a sense of movement and closure in music.
4. Understanding functional harmony allows composers to create effective transitions between sections and enhance emotional expression through harmonic choices.
5. Functional harmony often incorporates non-diatonic chords or modulations, adding complexity and richness to the harmonic landscape of a piece.

Review Questions

• How do the roles of tonic, dominant, and subdominant contribute to the overall function of harmony in music?
  • The tonic serves as the home base or point of resolution, providing stability in functional harmony. The dominant creates tension that seeks resolution back to the tonic, while the subdominant prepares the progression toward the dominant. Together, these three chords shape harmonic motion, guiding listeners through musical phrases and establishing a sense of direction within a composition.
• In what ways can composers use functional harmony to enhance emotional expression within their music?
  • Composers can manipulate functional harmony by altering chord progressions, using tension-building techniques with dominant chords, or employing unexpected resolutions. By varying how they approach traditional progressions or integrating non-diatonic chords, they can evoke different emotional responses from listeners. This flexibility allows for greater expressiveness in storytelling through music.
• Evaluate how an understanding of functional harmony can impact a composer’s ability to create effective transitions between musical sections.
  • An understanding of functional harmony equips composers with the tools to craft seamless transitions by recognizing how different chords lead into one another. By utilizing common progressions and carefully choosing when to introduce tension through dominant chords or modulate key areas, composers can maintain listener engagement. This knowledge also enables them to play with expectations, enhancing creativity while ensuring structural coherence throughout their work.

Related terms

Tonic: The tonic is the first scale degree of a key and serves as the home base or point of resolution in functional harmony.

Dominant: The dominant is the fifth scale degree in a key and has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic, playing a crucial role in establishing tension and release.

Subdominant: The subdominant is the fourth scale degree of a key, acting as a preparatory chord that leads to the dominant, contributing to the overall harmonic progression.