Tonality

IV-V-I in C

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Mozart-Reti - The Magic Flute

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Hugo Riemann, "Tonalität," Musik-Lexikon (1882)

File:Hugo Riemann, "Tonalität," Musik-Lexikon (1882).mid Tonality is a principle of music that uses a hierarchical system of pitches or chords centered around a tonic. The concept of tonality is fundamental to Western music and has been a dominant force in its development from the Baroque period through to the 20th century. Tonality allows composers to establish a key or home base pitch, from which they can explore various harmonic and melodic relationships before returning to the tonic for a sense of resolution.

History

The roots of tonality can be traced back to the polyphonic practices of the late Medieval and early Renaissance periods, evolving significantly during the Baroque era (circa 1600–1750). The system was further developed and codified during the Classical (circa 1750–1820) and Romantic periods (circa 1820–1900), with composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven pushing the boundaries of tonal harmony and structure.

Principles

Tonality is based on the establishment of a tonic note and its related scales, which form the basis for a piece's key. This key serves as the home or reference point for the piece, with other notes and chords having relationships of tension and resolution relative to the tonic. The most common scales used in tonal music are the major and minor scales, each with its own set of intervals and emotional character.

Harmony

In tonal music, Harmony is achieved through the use of chords that are built from the notes of the key's scale. These chords are categorized into functions based on their relationship to the tonic: tonic (I), dominant (V), and subdominant (IV) being the primary chords. The dominant chord, in particular, plays a crucial role in establishing the key due to its strong pull towards the tonic chord, creating a sense of resolution when followed by the tonic.

Modulation

Modulation is a technique in tonal music where the piece temporarily shifts from one key to another. This can provide contrast, variety, and development within a piece, enhancing its emotional and structural complexity. Modulation is often achieved through the use of pivot chords, which are common to both the original and target keys, smoothly transitioning the music from one tonal center to another.

Decline and Legacy

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a gradual decline in the dominance of tonality, with composers such as Claude Debussy, Arnold Schoenberg, and Igor Stravinsky exploring new harmonic languages. This period, often referred to as the Modernist era in music, led to the development of atonal and serial techniques, which abandoned the traditional hierarchy of tonality. Despite this, tonality remains a foundational element in many forms of music, including popular, Jazz, and film music.

See Also

• Harmonic progression
• Counterpoint
• Music theory
• Schenkerian analysis