17.4: Analyzing Secondary Dominants
17.4 Analyzing Secondary Dominants
When you encounter a chord with a chromaticism and suspect it is a secondary dominant, use the following process.
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Stack the chord in thirds to determine the root and quality. If the chord quality is major (if a triad) or a major–minor seventh chord, go on to step 2. If the chord quality is not major or major–minor seventh, the chord is not a secondary dominant.
The chord in question is an F♯ major triad in first inversion.
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Determine the note that would be a perfect 5th below the
root
of the chord you are analyzing. If this note would be the root of a diatonic chord, the chord you are analyzing is a secondary dominant.
Since B is 5^ , the F♯ major chord in first inversion is tonicizing VV. Therefore the chord is VVV6/V.