Dominant

The dominant is the fifth scale degree — the note a perfect fifth above the tonic. In C major, the dominant is G; in A minor, the dominant is E. The dominant is the harmonic pole opposite the tonic: where the tonic represents stability and rest, the dominant represents tension and forward motion.

The dominant chord (built on the dominant note) creates the most powerful resolution to the tonic in tonal harmony. The V-I cadence (dominant resolving to tonic) is the basic gesture of Western tonal music — found in countless phrases, sections, and complete works.

The tonic-dominant relationship structures most tonal music. Sonata form moves from tonic to dominant in the exposition, then back to tonic in the recapitulation. Modulation often uses the dominant of a new key to introduce the new tonic. Understanding tonic-dominant relationships is essential to understanding tonal music.

Latin dominans (‘ruling’), from dominari (‘to rule’). The dominant ‘rules’ the harmonic motion toward the tonic.

Hear the dominant as tension demanding resolution. When you reach a dominant chord, anticipate the resolution to tonic; the gesture is fundamental to tonal grammar.