Here's a breakdown:
Chords as Functions:
* Tonic (I): The foundation of the key, providing a sense of stability and resolution.
* Subdominant (IV): Creates a sense of movement away from the tonic, often towards the dominant.
* Dominant (V): The most unstable chord, creating a strong pull towards the tonic.
* Other Chords: Chords like the minor vi, major ii, and diminished vii can also have specific functions in creating tension or creating movement within a progression.
Understanding the Concept:
Think of it like a story. The tonic is like the beginning of the story, the subdominant is the development, and the dominant is the climax that leads to the satisfying resolution of the tonic.
Example:
In a simple C major key, the most basic functional harmony progression is:
* I (C major): The tonic chord, providing stability.
* IV (F major): The subdominant, moving away from the tonic.
* V (G major): The dominant, creating a strong pull towards the tonic.
* I (C major): The tonic chord, providing resolution and stability.
Importance of Functional Harmony:
* Predictability: Understanding functional harmony helps musicians predict where a melody or progression is likely to go.
* Emotional Impact: Different chord functions create different emotional responses. The tonic is often perceived as happy, the dominant as tense, and the subdominant as peaceful.
* Composition: Functional harmony is a fundamental tool used in composition, helping musicians write engaging and coherent melodies and progressions.
Beyond the Basics:
Functional harmony can be complex and nuanced. Different composers use functional harmony in different ways, creating unique musical styles. Learning the basics is a great starting point for understanding the complexities of harmony in music.