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part 1

Chapter 3
Harmonic Function; The
Subdominant Triad in Root Position
INTRODUCTION TO
STRUCTURAL KINESIOLOGY
THE BASIC HARMONIC FUNCTIONS
In chapter E we defined harmonic function as the relationship of a chord with the
otherachords1 the key, and especially its relationship with c h atonic. 3
the p t e r Functions may be
c h p t e r in
grouped according totheir type. The three basic functions are tonic, dominant, and preFoundations of Structural Kinesiology the
Basic provides conclusive
dominant. Whereas the tonic is the only chord in 2 system that Biomechanical Factors
and Concepts 57
reposep(the tonic function, abbreviated as T), several chords that contain the leading
cha ter 2
tone provide a tension that needs to resolve. Some of thesechords are V, V7, vii°, vii°7,
Neuromuscular Fundamentals 24
and viiø7. We will refer to all these chords as having a dominant function (abbreviated
as D). A number of other chords can precede a chord with a dominant function. Chords
in this group, which have the function of preparing the dominant, include mainly IV, ii,
and ii7. We refer to this function as pre-dominant (abbreviated as PD).Some chords function at times as substitutes for other chords. Although V must
in principle resolve to I, in the “deceptive progression,” V-vi, it resolves to a tonic
substitute, vi. Finally, chords at times have the function of extending or embellishing
other chords contrapuntally. This is a frequent function, as we will see throughout part
1, of first- and second-inversion chords, as well as ofsuch chords as IV, vi, and iii.
We refer to this extending or embellishing function as prolongational function. The
most common functions of all seven diatonic triads are summarized in the chart that
follows.
NOTE

Chordal function is entirely dependent on context; one chord can have different functions in different contexts. In this chapter we will see that IV can function as apredominant, but, in a different context, it can also function as a tonic prolongation.
Chords in the dominant family (such as V6 or vii°6), on the other hand, often appear as
linear chords, as we will study in chapters 4, 8, and 9. Thus, a chord can also have two
simultaneous functions (such as a member of the dominant family actually functioning
as a contrapuntal chord prolonging the tonic).
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part 1
PART 1

Diatonic Harmony

Summary of the Most Common Harmonic
Functions of the Diatonic Triads
I (i)
ii (ii°)
iii (III)
IV (iv)

Tonic
Pre-dominant (precedes V)
Tonic prolongation
Tonic prolongation(subdominant) or
Pre-dominant (precedes V)
Dominant
Tonic prolongation or
Tonic substitute or
Pre-dominant (precedes V)
Dominant

INTRODUCTION TO
vi (VI)
STRUCTURAL KINESIOLOGY
V

vii°

chapter

1

chapter

Foundations of THE SUBDOMINANT
Structural Kinesiology 2

3

Basic
TRIAD Biomechanical Factors

and Concepts 57
ˆ
The subdominant triad (IV in major keys, iv in minor) isbuilt on 4. It comprises scale
ˆ 6–1. The tonic, dominant, and subdominant triads can be considered the
ˆˆ
degrees 4–
Neuromuscular Fundamentals 24
basic chords in the tonal system, and they illustrate all the main functions that have been
defined previously (tonic, dominant, pre-dominant, and prolongation). For this reason
they are known as the primary triads.
chapter

2

IV asPre-dominant
The most common function of IV is to precede V. The I–V–I progression is often elaborated by the introduction of IV between I and V: I–IV–V–I. Because the step progresˆˆ
sion 4–5 in the bass from IV to V creates a melodic drive toward V, IV is a particularly
strong pre-dominant chord (and, as we will see in chapter 5, so is ii6, a chord very close
ˆ
to IV that also features 4 in the...