9.4: Harmonic Function
9.4 Harmonic Function
- Tonic function (abbreviated “ton.”): The II chord has tonic function, which is a state of stability and rest. Tonic chords do not demand progression to other chords.
- Dominant function (abbreviated “dom.”): The VV and viivii∘ (chords containing the leading tone 7^ and supertonic 2^ ) tend to progress to tonic (II). Special note : The I5thI/5th chord has dominant function when it resolves to the VVchord, as in the third chord from the end of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
- Pre-dominant function (abbreviated “pre-dom.”): The IVIV and iiii (chords containing the subdominant 4^ and submediant 6^ ) tend to progress to chords of dominant function.
- Tonic prolongation function (abbreviated “ton. prol.”): The vivi and iiiiii (chords that share two common tones with 1^ –3^ –5^ from the tonic triad) tend to occur after the tonic chord and progress to chords of pre-dominant function.
9.4.1 The Harmonic Flowchart
Remember that IVIV goes to II in the plagal cadence and VV goes to vivi in the deceptive cadence . When IVIV goes to II, label IVIV as having tonic prolongation function. The plagal cadence and deceptive cadence are exceptions to the harmonic flowchart . Here is the Harmonic Flowchart in minor. Note the addition of the subtonic VIIVIIchord, which has one function—to progress to IIIIII. The tonic chord II can progress directly to a chord of any other function and, in fact, many pieces begin with a II–VV–II progression, representing harmonic function of Tonic-Dominant-Tonic.9.4.2 Tonic-Dominant-Tonic Progression
This is the most elemental progression in music, often realized with II–VV–II. The principle of “Tonic-Dominant-Tonic” could also be represented with II–viivii∘–II. Even though we learned that “dominant” means “5^ ” (and also “VV”) in earlier sections , “dominant function ” in terms of harmony means “a chord that progresses to the tonic chord.” We will revisit this concept and other possibilities for “dominant function” later.9.4.3 Tonic-PreDominant-Dominant-Tonic Progression
This sequence of harmonic functions can be realized in four possible ways:- II–iiii–VV–II
- II–IVIV–VV–II
- II–IVIV–viivii∘–II
- II–iiii–viivii∘–II
9.4.4 The Tonic-Tonic Prolongation-PreDominant-Dominant Progression
9.4.4.1 I–vi–IV–V
As mentioned earlier, the progression II–vivi–IVIV–VV was so prevalent in the 1950s that it is known as the “ '50s progression ” and the “'50s doo-wop progression.” Listen for this bass line in the following examples.- Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser, “Heart and Soul” (in C major)
- Curtis Williams, Jesse Belvin, Gaynel Hodge, “Earth Angel” (in A-flat major) (1954)
- Dolly Parton, “I Will Always Love You” (in A major) (1974)
- Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone, “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” (in C major)
- John Stephens and Toby Gad, “All of Me” (in A-flat major) (2013)