Topmusicanswers
- What is the function of the III chord?
- What are I IV and V7 chords?
- What can a vii chord go to?
- What is functional harmony in music?
What is the function of the III chord?
The Mediant Chord (iii or III)
The mediant chord functions as a very weak pre-dominant — so weak that it almost always leads to stronger pre-dominant chords, rarely progressing directly to V. One of its most important uses is to harmonize 7 as it descends in the melody.
What are I IV and V7 chords?
The "Primary" Chords in music are the three most commonly used chords - the I, IV, and V (or V7) chords. These chords are built on the first, fourth, and fifth degrees of a diatonic scale.
What can a vii chord go to?
The ♭ VII chord can precede tonic, dominant, and pre-dominant chords, which means it can substitute for any function except tonic. Notice also that movement from IV – I (from the plagal cadence) is common in the following examples from popular music.
What is functional harmony in music?
: a theory of tonal music that regards all harmonies as functioning as essentially tonic, dominant, or subdominant harmony In Riemann's interpretation Berlioz sought to destroy the fundamental unit of functional harmony, the cadence, by substituting 'false' functions.—
