MusicianCV · TRWhat tonic and dominant do
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Degrees and function
In tonal harmony, chords can suggest rest, continuation or resolution. Tonic function is associated with stability around the centre; dominant function often points toward it. This is a stylistic listening model rather than a universal physical law.
Consider surrounding harmony, bass and melodic targets before assigning function from a chord name alone. G7 moving to C is a familiar model in C major, but the same chord can occupy other contexts. Listen for tension and rest before applying analytical labels.
Example
In C–F–G7–C, the final C can provide a sense of return.
What tonic and dominant doI → IV → V → I
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What is a common target of G7 in C major?
Answer
C; a common contextual outcome, not the only possibility.Related topics
Chord degrees in Roman numerals · Building diatonic chords in majorReferences
Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom
Subject-expert review pending.