Tonic: Difference between revisions

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In pieces that have more than one tonal center throughout their length, as with many Western Classical pieces, the tonic is the most important of the various tonal centers that appear in that piece. For that reason, it is considered the home note, and, as a consequence, is often referenced in the name of certain works, for example, Bach's [[Wikipedia: Fugue in G_minor, BWV 578|Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578]], otherwise known as the "Little Fugue", in which G is the Tonic.

== As an initiating event ~~and the main~~ resolution tone ~~of a piece~~ ==

== As an initiating event, anchor, or resolution tone ==

In many Medieval, Neo-Medieval and [[Wikipedia:Common practice period|Common Practice]] pieces, the Tonic is often the tone used for resolution in musical phrases, and, as a logical extension of this, can be considered the principal goal tone of a piece. This is especially known for being established through an [[Wikipedia:Cadence#Authentic%20cadence|Authentic cadence]]. In addition, it should be noted that other chords in diatonic harmony, namely the mediant and submediant, often have tonic-like function in the sense of being resolution tones, with the caveat that they are ultimately nontonic functions, and hence, such resolutions are considered to be either interrupted or deceptive cadences. In Common Practice music, most pieces began in the tonic key, and thus, the tonic can be considered a very common initiating event for a piece— a function which continues to be widespread in Western Classical music.

In many Medieval, Neo-Medieval and [[Wikipedia:Common practice period|Common Practice]] pieces, the Tonic is often the tone used for resolution in musical phrases, and, as a logical extension of this, can be considered the principal goal tone of a piece. This is especially known for being established through an [[Wikipedia:Cadence#Authentic%20cadence|Authentic cadence]]. In addition, it should be noted that other chords in diatonic harmony, namely the mediant and submediant, often have tonic-like function in the sense of being resolution tones, with the caveat that they are ultimately nontonic functions, and hence, such resolutions are considered to be either interrupted or deceptive cadences. In Common Practice music, most pieces began in the tonic key, and thus, the tonic can be considered a very common initiating event for a piece— a function which continues to be widespread in Western Classical music. As a consequence of its role as both a common initiating event and the main resolution tone, the tonic often serves as the single most important anchor for both melodies and harmonies in a tonal piece, and as a consequence, it is likely to occur very frequently, even if it is not the most commonly occurring functional element of a piece.

~~== As a melodic and or harmonic anchor ==~~

As a consequence of its role as both a common initiating event and the main resolution tone, the tonic often serves as the single most important anchor for both melodies and harmonies in a tonal piece, and as a consequence, it is likely to occur very frequently, even if it is not the most commonly occurring functional element of a piece.

== Relationship to other functions ==

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 In pieces that have more than one tonal center throughout their length, as with many Western Classical pieces, the tonic is the most important of the various tonal centers that appear in that piece. For that reason, it is considered the home note, and, as a consequence, is often referenced in the name of certain works, for example, Bach's [[Wikipedia: Fugue in G_minor, BWV 578|Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578]], otherwise known as the "Little Fugue", in which G is the Tonic.
-== As an initiating event and the main resolution tone of a piece ==
+== As an initiating event, anchor, or resolution tone ==
-In many Medieval, Neo-Medieval and [[Wikipedia:Common practice period|Common Practice]] pieces, the Tonic is often the tone used for resolution in musical phrases, and, as a logical extension of this, can be considered the principal goal tone of a piece. This is especially known for being established through an [[Wikipedia:Cadence#Authentic%20cadence|Authentic cadence]]. In addition, it should be noted that other chords in diatonic harmony, namely the mediant and submediant, often have tonic-like function in the sense of being resolution tones, with the caveat that they are ultimately nontonic functions, and hence, such resolutions are considered to be either interrupted or deceptive cadences.  In Common Practice music, most pieces began in the tonic key, and thus, the tonic can be considered a very common initiating event for a piece— a function which continues to be widespread in Western Classical music.
+In many Medieval, Neo-Medieval and [[Wikipedia:Common practice period|Common Practice]] pieces, the Tonic is often the tone used for resolution in musical phrases, and, as a logical extension of this, can be considered the principal goal tone of a piece. This is especially known for being established through an [[Wikipedia:Cadence#Authentic%20cadence|Authentic cadence]]. In addition, it should be noted that other chords in diatonic harmony, namely the mediant and submediant, often have tonic-like function in the sense of being resolution tones, with the caveat that they are ultimately nontonic functions, and hence, such resolutions are considered to be either interrupted or deceptive cadences.  In Common Practice music, most pieces began in the tonic key, and thus, the tonic can be considered a very common initiating event for a piece— a function which continues to be widespread in Western Classical music.  As a consequence of its role as both a common initiating event and the main resolution tone, the tonic often serves as the single most important anchor for both melodies and harmonies in a tonal piece, and as a consequence, it is likely to occur very frequently, even if it is not the most commonly occurring functional element of a piece.
-== As a melodic and or harmonic anchor ==
-As a consequence of its role as both a common initiating event and the main resolution tone, the tonic often serves as the single most important anchor for both melodies and harmonies in a tonal piece, and as a consequence, it is likely to occur very frequently, even if it is not the most commonly occurring functional element of a piece.
 == Relationship to other functions ==