Dominant key

The dominant key in a given musical composition is the key whose tonic is a perfect fifth above (or a perfect fourth below) the tonic of the main key of the piece. Put another way, the key whose tonic is the dominant scale degree in the main key.^[1]

If, for example, a piece is written in the key of C major, then the key of C is the tonic key. The key of G major is the dominant key since it is based on the dominant note for the key of C major. ^[2]

In sonata form in major keys, the second subject group is usually in the dominant key. Even with the widest roaming modulations in the development, the dominant key exerts influence and eventually forces a return to the tonic key. ^[3]

References

1. ^ Grove Music Online, "Dominant"
2. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica "dominant"
3. ^ Answers.com "sonata"

This music theory article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Music theory stubs Musical keys Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР Barry Palmer (musician) Marius Aventicensis Look at other dictionaries: Dominant (music) — For the term dominant function on the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, see Myers Briggs Type Indicator#Dominant Function. Tonic and dominant in C   …   Wikipedia Dominant seventh chord — on C: C7  Play ( …   Wikipedia Dominant parallel — Dominant and dominant parallel in C major: GM and Em chords  Play …   Wikipedia Dominant Design — is a Technology Management concept identifying key technological designs that become a de facto standard in their market place.When a new technology emerges (e.g. computer GUI operating systems) often firms will introduce a number of alternative… …   Wikipedia Dominant design — is a technology management concept identifying key technological designs that become a de facto standard in their market place. When a new technology emerges (e.g. computer GUI operating systems) – often firms will introduce a number of… …   Wikipedia Key — (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.] 1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Key bed — Key Key (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.] 1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Key bolt — Key Key (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.] 1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Key bugle — Key Key (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.] 1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English key fruit — Key Key (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.] 1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”