dominant chord
Tension before resolution
A dominant chord is the chord built on the fifth note of a scale, creating tension that naturally resolves to the tonic or home chord.
In the key of C major, G is the dominant.
The dominant seventh chord adds an additional note that intensifies this pull toward resolution: The song ended with a classic dominant-to-tonic cadence.
This chord relationship is fundamental to Western harmony, creating the sense of tension and release that drives musical movement.
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- tensionStretched or strained state
- seventhOrdinal for seven
- fifthFive's place in sequence
- leading toneScale's penultimate degree
cadence · resolve · pull · anticipation · release · tritone · unstable · circle of fifths · harmony · root · major · minor · suspended · jazz · blues · turnaround · authentic · approach
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