How is a secondary dominant used for modulation?

The function of a secondary dominant is to emphasize a triad other than the tonic in a manner similar to how the natural dominant in the key reinforces the tonic. If a secondary dominant is only used to temporarily emphasize a triad, it is referred to as a tonicization.

1. How do you modulate with secondary dominants?
2. What is the purpose of a secondary dominant?
3. How do you approach a secondary dominant chord?
4. How do secondary chords work?

How do you modulate with secondary dominants?

To modulate to E minor, the secondary dominant will be B7 : B stays, D# up a semione to E, F# up a semitone to G, and A (the b7) goes a tone either way to G or B. Interesting that the major 3 and the minor (b) 7 of the secondary dominants form a tritone, which tends to give an unstable feel to the chord.

What is the purpose of a secondary dominant?

McClelland, "[t]he purpose of the secondary dominant is to place emphasis on a chord within the diatonic progression." The secondary-dominant terminology is still usually applied even if the chord resolution is nonfunctional. For example, the V/ii label is still used even if the V/ii chord is not followed by ii.

How do you approach a secondary dominant chord?

Writing Secondary Dominants

1. Find the the root of the chord after the secondary dominant (the Roman numeral under the slash). It is a major or minor triad.
2. Find the pitch a P5 above the root. ...
3. Build a dominant seventh chord or major triad on this pitch. ...
4. Resolve the chordal 7th (down) and the secondary leading-tone (up).

How do secondary chords work?

A secondary chord is a dominant function chord that is not the dominant chord in the key of the piece, but is the dominant of one of the other major or minor triads in that key.