Dominant Chord: A chord built on the fifth degree of a diatonic scale, often featuring a major triad plus a minor seventh, creating tension that resolves to the tonic chord.

Context and Significance

The dominant chord plays a crucial role in Western music theory, acting as a pivot point that creates tension, leading to a resolution. This chord is fundamental in establishing the sense of movement and expectation in a musical piece. Commonly found in classical, jazz, blues, and pop music, the dominant chord typically appears in progressions like V-I, where it heightens the drama before resolving to the tonic. Instrumentalists across genres, from pianists to guitarists, utilize dominant chords to add depth and complexity to their compositions.

Historical Background

The concept of the dominant chord traces back to the Baroque era, where composers began to explore harmonic progressions beyond simple triads. The use of the dominant-seventh chord became more pronounced during the Classical period, with composers such as Mozart and Haydn employing it to enhance musical narratives. Over time, this chord has evolved to become a staple in music theory, representing one of the most critical elements in the structure and development of Western music.

Examples

The dominant chord is prominently featured in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, where its tension and resolution drive the iconic opening motif. Jazz musicians like Duke Ellington have used dominant chords to enrich their harmonic language, employing them in various substitutions and extensions. In popular music, The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” opens with a chord that functions as a dominant, setting the song’s energetic tone.

Related Terms

Tonic Chord: The root chord in a key, resolving the tension of the dominant.

Subdominant: A chord built on the fourth degree of the scale, often leading to the dominant.

Cadence: A progression typically ending with a dominant resolving to the tonic.

Seventh Chord: A chord that includes a triad plus an additional seventh interval above the root.

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