Inside This Unit: The Full Breakdown
Harmony IV covers secondary dominants, secondary leading-tone chords, and tonicization.
Why it matters
Secondary function introduces chromatic harmony tested in analysis.
Key concepts
- Secondary dominants (V/x) tonicize a non-tonic chord.
- A chromatic accidental often signals secondary function.
- V/V resolves to V; V/ii to ii.
Secondary Function
A secondary dominant is the dominant of a chord other than tonic (e.g., V/V). It briefly tonicizes its target, with a raised chromatic pitch acting as a temporary leading tone. Identify the target by the chord that follows and keep numerals anchored to the home key.
AP exam tip
When you see an unexpected accidental, check whether it creates a leading tone to the next chord — that signals a secondary dominant.
Connections to other units
- Unit 3: Secondary dominants are spelled like regular dominants.
- Unit 4: They temporarily redirect function.
