Functional Harmony: A system in music theory where chords are categorized based on their role and function within a tonal framework, such as tonic, dominant, and subdominant.
Context and Significance
Functional harmony serves as the backbone of Western tonal music. It provides a framework for understanding how chords relate to each other and create musical progression. This system is prevalent in genres like classical, jazz, and pop. Musicians use functional harmony to craft melodies that resolve tension and establish tonal centers, which is crucial for songwriting and composition on instruments such as piano and guitar.
Historical Background
The concept of functional harmony emerged during the Baroque period as composers sought to standardize tonal relationships in music. Pioneered by theorists like Jean-Philippe Rameau in the 18th century, it became integral to the harmonic practices of the Classical and Romantic eras. This approach defined the structural coherence of compositions by composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, grounding their work in a predictable yet expressive harmonic language.
Examples
Functional harmony is evident in works like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, where the famous motif transitions through tonic and dominant chords, creating dramatic tension and resolution. In jazz, pieces like Miles Davis’s “So What” utilize functional harmony to support improvisation within a structured framework. These compositions showcase the effectiveness of this harmonic approach in establishing and resolving musical themes.
Related Terms
Tonic: The central chord around which a piece is centered.
Dominant: A chord that creates tension, leading back to the tonic.
Subdominant: A chord that often precedes the dominant, providing movement.
Modulation: The process of changing from one key to another within a piece.