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5.1 Adding Predominant Function IV (iv) and ii (ii0) to a Melodic Phrase

7 min readjanuary 26, 2023

Cesar Torruella

Cesar Torruella

Cesar Torruella

Cesar Torruella

Before we dive into the predominant world or even a phrase, let’s review

Harmonic function refers to the role that a chord plays within a piece of music. In tonal music, chords are typically classified according to their function, with some chords serving as (the "home" chords), others serving as (tending to move the music "home"), and still others serving as (progressing towards the dominant). 

Here are the chords that fall into the tonic and dominant categories. Check out Unit 4.3 if you need a quick refresher on tonic and dominant ! Always remember that these can be either in a major or minor key.

  • Tonic/: I, vi and iii (in Major) and i, VI, and III (in minor)

  • Dominant: V⁷ or viio 

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-tncEvqMNjrmS.png?alt=media&token=af35ef6e-0fa4-4198-837a-eceb262982d6

Image from: http://openmusictheory.com/harmonicFunctions.html

In unit 4, we discussed how a dominant-tonic motion completes the basic phrase structure, and this is called a . We also discussed how phrases usually begin on . The phrases that move from a series of (perhaps with some melodic and harmonic embellishments) to a dominant-to-tonic are abbreviated as T-D-T phrases. 

usually don’t just have three or four chords. We saw earlier how we can expand the tonic area with that act as “passing tones” between two . One example is the that creates beautiful voice exchanges between the four parts. 

Later, we’ll learn more techniques to expand the tonic and dominant areas. However, we might want to add tension and harmonic interest to our phrase. We don’t want to stay in the tonic area, because it sounds boring and there is too little tension. The tonic is too stable. We also don’t want to spend too much time in the dominant section of the phrase, because by the time we get to the dominant area of the phrase, we are expecting a resolution. 

The solution? Predominant chords

Predominant Function

There are several different chords that can function as predominant chords, depending on the specific context and musical style. In tonal music, the ii chord (the minor chord built on the second scale degree of the key) and the IV chord (the major chord built on the fourth scale degree of the key) are often used as predominant chords.

(ii and IV) – and their minor keys equivalents- are so named because they LEAD to the dominant. Just like have a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic, predominant chords have a strong tendency to move towards the dominant. It is also easy to move from to predominant chords. 

That is, phrases that were just I-V-I can now become I-ii-V-I or I-IV-V-I. Think of the predominant section of a phrase as a preparation of the dominant. Its function is to expand the basic phrase going from T-D-T to T- PD- D- T. This type of phrase is used more frequently than T-D-T.

Here is an overview of how a T-PD-D-T phrase might look in Major keys:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-iuc02St6gYYj.png?alt=media&token=6e1d483f-227c-4b49-b4d1-8421c629f8b0

Harmonic flowchart for Major Keys. Chors IV or ii serve as a Pre-Dominant function. Image from Robert Hutchinson: http://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/mt21c/HarmonicFunction.html

And here's how it might look in a minor key:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-v0BZMHebhHGz.png?alt=media&token=2d8091ef-ac66-4f04-bae7-7d1b3a4a4b67

Harmonic flowchart for minor keys. Chords iv or ii0 serve as pre-dominant function in minor keys. Image from Robert Hutchinson: http://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/mt21c/HarmonicFunction.html

Don't worry if you are unsure of how VI and III chords fit into the picture yet. We'll learn these in Units 5.2 and 5.4.

You’ve probably heard this progression several times. If you have a piano or a keyboard near you, play a really quickly. Have you heard these harmonies before? Chances are, it sounds familiar! The is really common in both popular and classical music. 

Let’s talk about how to use the IV and the ii chords in chord progressions, and how to incorporate proper voice leading into and out of the predominant section.

The Subdominant Chord (IV or iv)

The subdominant chord (the IV chord in Major, and the iv chord in minor) is very commonly used as the first predominant chord in a chord progression. Why? Because it is a perfect fifth below the tonic, meaning that if you are moving down the circle of fifths, you will end up going from the tonic to the IV chord. 

Using the IV chord also makes it easy to move stepwise when moving from the tonic to the subdominant. Take, for example, a tonic chord in the key of F Major. The I chord will have the notes F-A-C. And, the IV chord will have the notes Bb-D-F. We retain the tonic note F, which allows us to still hang on to some of the tonic-centered sounds in the chord progression, but we also move away from the tonic section of the phrase. 

Let’s look at an example derived from one of the past AP Music Theory exams: 

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FScreenshot%202023-01-09%201.23-7LU1tqYOtbn1.png?alt=media&token=b2bc7f2d-e54a-491c-9d6b-ee36d3f3c097

Notice that the iv chord is inverted to a iv6 chord in first inversion. Let’s walk through a scenario in which the chord was in root position. This is perhaps more common than a subdominant chord in first inversion, especially if we were in Major key, because the root position emphasizes the predominant function of the IV chord. 

If we had left the iv chord in first inversion, then we would have to put the C in the bass. Since we don’t want to move from a perfect fifth to a perfect octave we would have to put an E in the tenor. It makes sense to leave the alto voice as a G, and let the soprano voice be a C so we can double the root.

The Supertonic Chord (ii or iio)

While IV chords are great as predominant chords, sometimes we just want to spice things up a little bit and add some more harmonic interest. It would be quite boring if all of the phrases in a piece were just I-IV-V-I or I-IV-vii-I phrases. Another great option for a chord with a predominant harmonic function is the supertonic chord, which is ii in Major and iio in minor.

 Just like the viio chord is a weaker substitute for the V chord in the dominant section of a phrase, the ii chord is a weaker substitute for the IV chord. It is sufficient to have only a ii chord in the predominant section, but the ii chord also often comes after the IV chord to expand the predominant section. If you have both a IV chord and a ii chord in the predominant section, always put the IV chord first! 

As a triad, ii chords in the predominant section are usually in first inversion (ii6 and iio6). In first inversion, the bass note will be the subdominant, which emphasizes the predominant function of the ii chord. If you want to emphasize the subdominant even more, you can also double the third in ii6 and iio6 chords. 

What about the ii7 chord? 

In a major scale, the ii7 chord is the second chord of the diatonic harmony and is often used as a predominant chord, meaning that it leads to the dominant chord (the chord built on the fifth scale degree). The ii7 chord can also be used as a substitute for the (the ) in a blues progression, creating a "half-step" resolution from the IV chord to the tonic chord.

In a minor scale, the ii7 chord is the ninth chord of the diatonic harmony and is often used as a tonic substitute, meaning that it can be used in place of the tonic chord to add variety to a chord progression. It can also be used as a leading chord, leading to the iii7 chord or the IV7 chord.

We’ll cover predominant seventh chords more in the one of the next units: section 5.3

We often use the ii chord if we are moving into a . This is because voice leading from the IV to the is logistically difficult, and it often sounds clunky. 

Voice Leading from the Predominant to the V7 Chord

As you are figuring out now, will help us most of the time, however, there are still rules we need to double-check when writing harmonies. When a predominant chord moves to a V⁷, the (the seventh of the chord) needs to be prepared by a common tone. In order for that to happen, you must choose carefully which chord is appropriate while keeping in mind that a V⁷ chord has 4 notes. To avoid parallel 5ths, you must always go in and keep common tones when possible. Here is a nice view of what your options might look like:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FScreen%20Shot%202023-01-25%20at%2010.37-Pr7qWl16X9sT.png?alt=media&token=cc9a1504-0970-4546-99d2-0914dc9870b8

Image via The Musician's Guide for Theory and Analysis. Third edition.

Review

Now that we know what the predominant chords are, we have more options or choices to create a new phrase, follow this template to construct your basic phrase- T- PD- D- T in Major:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-rIY38OUTIdDM.png?alt=media&token=56e58357-d6cd-4ea7-8817-db17841c40f8

And this template for Minor:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-WeuPX5mXBEzD.png?alt=media&token=b8151cd6-f3e6-4091-a257-d42c07b5a9f2

Images via musictheorycheatsheet.com

Remember: 

  • Predominant chords appear BEFORE the dominant section of a phrase

  • Options for predominant chords are:

    • Major Keys- IV, ii6, or ii

    • Minor Keys – iv or ii06

Where exactly do we find the predominant section? 🤔 That's right, predominant chords come BEFORE dominant! Remember: the voice leading on a predominant must follow against the bass. This way, you avoid parallelism (i.e. and octaves) as well as other voice-leading errors.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-s0uVZWjNhKEX.png?alt=media&token=7ac0f825-e615-4411-9bb5-f0c73533c1df

Contrary motion with bass will help you avoid voice-leading errors when working with pre-dominant chords. Image from: The Muscicians Guide for Theory and Analysis. Third edition.

Key Terms to Review (22)

Cadence

: A cadence is a musical phrase that marks the end of a musical section or piece. It provides a sense of resolution and closure to the listener.

Chordal Seventh

: A chordal seventh refers to adding a seventh note above a triad, creating a four-note chord. This type of seventh can be major or minor depending on its distance from the root note.

Contrary motion

: Contrary motion refers to melodic lines or voices that move in opposite directions. When one line ascends, the other descends, creating a pleasing and balanced musical effect.

Diminished seventh chord (viio)

: A diminished seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and diminished seventh. It is often used to create tension and lead to resolution in music.

Dominant Chords

: Dominant chords are tense, unstable harmonies that create tension and lead to resolution. They have a strong pull towards the tonic chord, creating a sense of musical anticipation.

Dominant Seventh Chord

: A dominant seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of the dominant triad (built on the fifth scale degree) with an added minor seventh interval. It creates tension and has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic chord.

First Inversion (iv6)

: First inversion refers to rearranging a triad so that its third becomes the lowest note instead of its root. In this case, iv6 represents first inversion of either an uppercase IV or lowercase iv subdominant chord in major or minor keys respectively. This voicing gives the harmony a slightly different character, often providing smooth voice leading when transitioning between chords.

Harmonic flowchart for Major Keys

: The harmonic flowchart for Major Keys is a visual representation that shows the diatonic chords (chords derived from the major scale) within a given key. It helps musicians understand which chords naturally occur in a specific major key and how they relate to each other.

Harmonic flowchart for minor keys

: A harmonic flowchart for minor keys is a visual representation that shows the common chord progressions and harmonic relationships within a specific minor key. It helps musicians understand the typical patterns and possibilities when composing or analyzing music in a minor key.

Harmonic Functions

: Harmonic functions refer to the roles that chords play within a key. Each chord has its own function, such as establishing stability (tonic), creating tension (dominant), or providing contrast (subdominant).

I-ii-V-I progression

: The I-ii-V-I progression is a common chord progression in music theory that consists of the tonic (I), supertonic (ii), dominant (V), and back to the tonic (I) chords. It is often used in various genres of music to create a sense of resolution and musical tension.

I-IV-V-I progression

: The I-IV-V-I progression is another common chord progression that follows a similar structure as the I-ii-V-I, but replaces the supertonic chord with subdominant (IV). This progression is widely used in many popular songs across different genres.

I-V 4/3-I6 chord progression

: This term refers to a common chord progression in music theory where the tonic (I) chord is followed by the dominant (V) chord in first inversion (4/3), and then resolves back to the tonic (I) chord in first inversion (6).

Parallel fifths

: Parallel fifths occur when two voices move in perfect fifths (or octaves) in the same direction. This creates a harmonic progression that is considered undesirable in traditional voice leading.

Predominant Harmonies

: Predominant harmonies are chords that create tension and prepare the listener for the arrival of the dominant chord. They often include the ii chord and IV chord.

Subdominant Chord (IV or iv)

: The subdominant chord is built on the fourth scale degree of a major or minor key. In major keys, it is typically represented by Roman numeral IV, while in natural minor keys it can be represented by either uppercase IV or lowercase iv. This chord adds richness and stability to harmonies, often used as part of cadences or creating contrast with other chords.

Subdominant Chords

: Subdominant chords are the chords built on the fourth scale degree of a key. They provide a sense of stability and act as a bridge between the tonic and dominant chords.

Supertonic Chord (ii or iio)

: The supertonic chord is the chord built on the second scale degree of a major or minor key. It is typically a minor triad or a diminished triad.

Tonic Chords

: Tonic chords are the stable, home base chords in a key. They provide a sense of resolution and rest, giving the feeling of "coming home" musically.

Tonic Prolongation

: Tonic prolongation refers to extending or delaying resolution to the tonic chord, creating tension and anticipation within a musical composition.

Tonic-Dominant-Tonic phrases

: Tonic-Dominant-Tonic phrases are musical phrases that consist of a tonic chord (I), followed by a dominant chord (V), and then resolving back to the tonic chord. This progression is commonly used in many styles of music and provides a sense of stability and resolution.

V7 chord

: A V7 chord, also known as a dominant seventh chord, is a four-note chord consisting of a major triad with an added minor seventh. It is commonly used in music to create tension and resolve to the tonic.

5.1 Adding Predominant Function IV (iv) and ii (ii0) to a Melodic Phrase

7 min readjanuary 26, 2023

Cesar Torruella

Cesar Torruella

Cesar Torruella

Cesar Torruella

Before we dive into the predominant world or even a phrase, let’s review

Harmonic function refers to the role that a chord plays within a piece of music. In tonal music, chords are typically classified according to their function, with some chords serving as (the "home" chords), others serving as (tending to move the music "home"), and still others serving as (progressing towards the dominant). 

Here are the chords that fall into the tonic and dominant categories. Check out Unit 4.3 if you need a quick refresher on tonic and dominant ! Always remember that these can be either in a major or minor key.

  • Tonic/: I, vi and iii (in Major) and i, VI, and III (in minor)

  • Dominant: V⁷ or viio 

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-tncEvqMNjrmS.png?alt=media&token=af35ef6e-0fa4-4198-837a-eceb262982d6

Image from: http://openmusictheory.com/harmonicFunctions.html

In unit 4, we discussed how a dominant-tonic motion completes the basic phrase structure, and this is called a . We also discussed how phrases usually begin on . The phrases that move from a series of (perhaps with some melodic and harmonic embellishments) to a dominant-to-tonic are abbreviated as T-D-T phrases. 

usually don’t just have three or four chords. We saw earlier how we can expand the tonic area with that act as “passing tones” between two . One example is the that creates beautiful voice exchanges between the four parts. 

Later, we’ll learn more techniques to expand the tonic and dominant areas. However, we might want to add tension and harmonic interest to our phrase. We don’t want to stay in the tonic area, because it sounds boring and there is too little tension. The tonic is too stable. We also don’t want to spend too much time in the dominant section of the phrase, because by the time we get to the dominant area of the phrase, we are expecting a resolution. 

The solution? Predominant chords

Predominant Function

There are several different chords that can function as predominant chords, depending on the specific context and musical style. In tonal music, the ii chord (the minor chord built on the second scale degree of the key) and the IV chord (the major chord built on the fourth scale degree of the key) are often used as predominant chords.

(ii and IV) – and their minor keys equivalents- are so named because they LEAD to the dominant. Just like have a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic, predominant chords have a strong tendency to move towards the dominant. It is also easy to move from to predominant chords. 

That is, phrases that were just I-V-I can now become I-ii-V-I or I-IV-V-I. Think of the predominant section of a phrase as a preparation of the dominant. Its function is to expand the basic phrase going from T-D-T to T- PD- D- T. This type of phrase is used more frequently than T-D-T.

Here is an overview of how a T-PD-D-T phrase might look in Major keys:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-iuc02St6gYYj.png?alt=media&token=6e1d483f-227c-4b49-b4d1-8421c629f8b0

Harmonic flowchart for Major Keys. Chors IV or ii serve as a Pre-Dominant function. Image from Robert Hutchinson: http://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/mt21c/HarmonicFunction.html

And here's how it might look in a minor key:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-v0BZMHebhHGz.png?alt=media&token=2d8091ef-ac66-4f04-bae7-7d1b3a4a4b67

Harmonic flowchart for minor keys. Chords iv or ii0 serve as pre-dominant function in minor keys. Image from Robert Hutchinson: http://musictheory.pugetsound.edu/mt21c/HarmonicFunction.html

Don't worry if you are unsure of how VI and III chords fit into the picture yet. We'll learn these in Units 5.2 and 5.4.

You’ve probably heard this progression several times. If you have a piano or a keyboard near you, play a really quickly. Have you heard these harmonies before? Chances are, it sounds familiar! The is really common in both popular and classical music. 

Let’s talk about how to use the IV and the ii chords in chord progressions, and how to incorporate proper voice leading into and out of the predominant section.

The Subdominant Chord (IV or iv)

The subdominant chord (the IV chord in Major, and the iv chord in minor) is very commonly used as the first predominant chord in a chord progression. Why? Because it is a perfect fifth below the tonic, meaning that if you are moving down the circle of fifths, you will end up going from the tonic to the IV chord. 

Using the IV chord also makes it easy to move stepwise when moving from the tonic to the subdominant. Take, for example, a tonic chord in the key of F Major. The I chord will have the notes F-A-C. And, the IV chord will have the notes Bb-D-F. We retain the tonic note F, which allows us to still hang on to some of the tonic-centered sounds in the chord progression, but we also move away from the tonic section of the phrase. 

Let’s look at an example derived from one of the past AP Music Theory exams: 

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FScreenshot%202023-01-09%201.23-7LU1tqYOtbn1.png?alt=media&token=b2bc7f2d-e54a-491c-9d6b-ee36d3f3c097

Notice that the iv chord is inverted to a iv6 chord in first inversion. Let’s walk through a scenario in which the chord was in root position. This is perhaps more common than a subdominant chord in first inversion, especially if we were in Major key, because the root position emphasizes the predominant function of the IV chord. 

If we had left the iv chord in first inversion, then we would have to put the C in the bass. Since we don’t want to move from a perfect fifth to a perfect octave we would have to put an E in the tenor. It makes sense to leave the alto voice as a G, and let the soprano voice be a C so we can double the root.

The Supertonic Chord (ii or iio)

While IV chords are great as predominant chords, sometimes we just want to spice things up a little bit and add some more harmonic interest. It would be quite boring if all of the phrases in a piece were just I-IV-V-I or I-IV-vii-I phrases. Another great option for a chord with a predominant harmonic function is the supertonic chord, which is ii in Major and iio in minor.

 Just like the viio chord is a weaker substitute for the V chord in the dominant section of a phrase, the ii chord is a weaker substitute for the IV chord. It is sufficient to have only a ii chord in the predominant section, but the ii chord also often comes after the IV chord to expand the predominant section. If you have both a IV chord and a ii chord in the predominant section, always put the IV chord first! 

As a triad, ii chords in the predominant section are usually in first inversion (ii6 and iio6). In first inversion, the bass note will be the subdominant, which emphasizes the predominant function of the ii chord. If you want to emphasize the subdominant even more, you can also double the third in ii6 and iio6 chords. 

What about the ii7 chord? 

In a major scale, the ii7 chord is the second chord of the diatonic harmony and is often used as a predominant chord, meaning that it leads to the dominant chord (the chord built on the fifth scale degree). The ii7 chord can also be used as a substitute for the (the ) in a blues progression, creating a "half-step" resolution from the IV chord to the tonic chord.

In a minor scale, the ii7 chord is the ninth chord of the diatonic harmony and is often used as a tonic substitute, meaning that it can be used in place of the tonic chord to add variety to a chord progression. It can also be used as a leading chord, leading to the iii7 chord or the IV7 chord.

We’ll cover predominant seventh chords more in the one of the next units: section 5.3

We often use the ii chord if we are moving into a . This is because voice leading from the IV to the is logistically difficult, and it often sounds clunky. 

Voice Leading from the Predominant to the V7 Chord

As you are figuring out now, will help us most of the time, however, there are still rules we need to double-check when writing harmonies. When a predominant chord moves to a V⁷, the (the seventh of the chord) needs to be prepared by a common tone. In order for that to happen, you must choose carefully which chord is appropriate while keeping in mind that a V⁷ chord has 4 notes. To avoid parallel 5ths, you must always go in and keep common tones when possible. Here is a nice view of what your options might look like:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FScreen%20Shot%202023-01-25%20at%2010.37-Pr7qWl16X9sT.png?alt=media&token=cc9a1504-0970-4546-99d2-0914dc9870b8

Image via The Musician's Guide for Theory and Analysis. Third edition.

Review

Now that we know what the predominant chords are, we have more options or choices to create a new phrase, follow this template to construct your basic phrase- T- PD- D- T in Major:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-rIY38OUTIdDM.png?alt=media&token=56e58357-d6cd-4ea7-8817-db17841c40f8

And this template for Minor:

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-WeuPX5mXBEzD.png?alt=media&token=b8151cd6-f3e6-4091-a257-d42c07b5a9f2

Images via musictheorycheatsheet.com

Remember: 

  • Predominant chords appear BEFORE the dominant section of a phrase

  • Options for predominant chords are:

    • Major Keys- IV, ii6, or ii

    • Minor Keys – iv or ii06

Where exactly do we find the predominant section? 🤔 That's right, predominant chords come BEFORE dominant! Remember: the voice leading on a predominant must follow against the bass. This way, you avoid parallelism (i.e. and octaves) as well as other voice-leading errors.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-s0uVZWjNhKEX.png?alt=media&token=7ac0f825-e615-4411-9bb5-f0c73533c1df

Contrary motion with bass will help you avoid voice-leading errors when working with pre-dominant chords. Image from: The Muscicians Guide for Theory and Analysis. Third edition.

Key Terms to Review (22)

Cadence

: A cadence is a musical phrase that marks the end of a musical section or piece. It provides a sense of resolution and closure to the listener.

Chordal Seventh

: A chordal seventh refers to adding a seventh note above a triad, creating a four-note chord. This type of seventh can be major or minor depending on its distance from the root note.

Contrary motion

: Contrary motion refers to melodic lines or voices that move in opposite directions. When one line ascends, the other descends, creating a pleasing and balanced musical effect.

Diminished seventh chord (viio)

: A diminished seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and diminished seventh. It is often used to create tension and lead to resolution in music.

Dominant Chords

: Dominant chords are tense, unstable harmonies that create tension and lead to resolution. They have a strong pull towards the tonic chord, creating a sense of musical anticipation.

Dominant Seventh Chord

: A dominant seventh chord is a four-note chord consisting of the dominant triad (built on the fifth scale degree) with an added minor seventh interval. It creates tension and has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic chord.

First Inversion (iv6)

: First inversion refers to rearranging a triad so that its third becomes the lowest note instead of its root. In this case, iv6 represents first inversion of either an uppercase IV or lowercase iv subdominant chord in major or minor keys respectively. This voicing gives the harmony a slightly different character, often providing smooth voice leading when transitioning between chords.

Harmonic flowchart for Major Keys

: The harmonic flowchart for Major Keys is a visual representation that shows the diatonic chords (chords derived from the major scale) within a given key. It helps musicians understand which chords naturally occur in a specific major key and how they relate to each other.

Harmonic flowchart for minor keys

: A harmonic flowchart for minor keys is a visual representation that shows the common chord progressions and harmonic relationships within a specific minor key. It helps musicians understand the typical patterns and possibilities when composing or analyzing music in a minor key.

Harmonic Functions

: Harmonic functions refer to the roles that chords play within a key. Each chord has its own function, such as establishing stability (tonic), creating tension (dominant), or providing contrast (subdominant).

I-ii-V-I progression

: The I-ii-V-I progression is a common chord progression in music theory that consists of the tonic (I), supertonic (ii), dominant (V), and back to the tonic (I) chords. It is often used in various genres of music to create a sense of resolution and musical tension.

I-IV-V-I progression

: The I-IV-V-I progression is another common chord progression that follows a similar structure as the I-ii-V-I, but replaces the supertonic chord with subdominant (IV). This progression is widely used in many popular songs across different genres.

I-V 4/3-I6 chord progression

: This term refers to a common chord progression in music theory where the tonic (I) chord is followed by the dominant (V) chord in first inversion (4/3), and then resolves back to the tonic (I) chord in first inversion (6).

Parallel fifths

: Parallel fifths occur when two voices move in perfect fifths (or octaves) in the same direction. This creates a harmonic progression that is considered undesirable in traditional voice leading.

Predominant Harmonies

: Predominant harmonies are chords that create tension and prepare the listener for the arrival of the dominant chord. They often include the ii chord and IV chord.

Subdominant Chord (IV or iv)

: The subdominant chord is built on the fourth scale degree of a major or minor key. In major keys, it is typically represented by Roman numeral IV, while in natural minor keys it can be represented by either uppercase IV or lowercase iv. This chord adds richness and stability to harmonies, often used as part of cadences or creating contrast with other chords.

Subdominant Chords

: Subdominant chords are the chords built on the fourth scale degree of a key. They provide a sense of stability and act as a bridge between the tonic and dominant chords.

Supertonic Chord (ii or iio)

: The supertonic chord is the chord built on the second scale degree of a major or minor key. It is typically a minor triad or a diminished triad.

Tonic Chords

: Tonic chords are the stable, home base chords in a key. They provide a sense of resolution and rest, giving the feeling of "coming home" musically.

Tonic Prolongation

: Tonic prolongation refers to extending or delaying resolution to the tonic chord, creating tension and anticipation within a musical composition.

Tonic-Dominant-Tonic phrases

: Tonic-Dominant-Tonic phrases are musical phrases that consist of a tonic chord (I), followed by a dominant chord (V), and then resolving back to the tonic chord. This progression is commonly used in many styles of music and provides a sense of stability and resolution.

V7 chord

: A V7 chord, also known as a dominant seventh chord, is a four-note chord consisting of a major triad with an added minor seventh. It is commonly used in music to create tension and resolve to the tonic.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.