Topmusicanswers
Dominant seventh chords harmoniously resolve into a major triad via voice leading, wherein each note moves stepwise between chords. In the case of an E7 chord, the G♯ resolves up a half-step to the note A, and the D resolves a half-step down to a C♯. These are the first and third scale degrees of an A major chord.
- What does a dominant 7th resolve to?
- When resolving a dominant 7th chord How do the 7th & leading tone function?
What does a dominant 7th resolve to?
The dominant seventh chord resolves to a major or minor chord whose root is a perfect fifth below its root.
When resolving a dominant 7th chord How do the 7th & leading tone function?
(1) The chord 7th - It must resolve down by step. This means scale degree 4 will resolve down by step to scale degree 3. (2) The leading tone - In an outer voice, the leading tone will always resolve up by step. In an inner voice, the leading tone may resolve up by step or may resolve "freely" by skipping down a third.
