Dominant (music)
The dominant in music is the fifth note of a major or minor scale.[1] In a C scale, the fifth and dominant note will be G. Chords built on this note are called dominant chords.[1] In the key of C, the dominant chord will be G-B-D. Keys have the same relationship as notes, so the dominant key will be the key of the fifth note. So in C, the key of G is the dominant key. In musical theory, the dominant is written with the roman numeral "V".
Dominant (music) Media
The key immediately clockwise is the dominant key of the key immediately counterclockwise, and features either one more sharp or one less flat.
"Essentially, there are two harmonic directions: toward I and toward V. These primary diatonic triads form the harmonic axis of tonal music."[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dominant." The Oxford Dictionary of Music, 2nd ed. rev.. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, accessed December 15, 2015, (subscription needed), http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/opr/t237/e3044.
- ↑ Forte 1979, p. 103.
