Double subdominant
In musical function theory, the double subdominant is the subdominant of the subdominant of a scale .
The double subdominant is particularly often found in a chord progression in which the double subdominant is followed by the subdominant and then the tonic . The double subdominant can often be understood as a representative of the dominant .
Example:
It is in the key of A major
- A major the tonic
- D major is the subdominant
- G major the double subdominant
The chord progression would be
G major → D major → A major or
A major → G major → D major.
This sequence of chords is mainly used in pop music , but occurs in much older music (e.g. in the chanson "Bonjour mon cœur" from the 16th century, which has the chord sequence C major / Bb - Major / F major).
In Protestant worship, the "Amen" is often sung at the end:
Here is the chord progression:
tonic (A major), subdominant (D major),
double subdominant ( G major), subdominant (D major),
dominant with lead, dominant (E major), tonic (A major) .
Further examples:
Praise You ( Fatboy Slim ) | |
Song for Guy ( Elton John ) |
If you put such a chord progression in a different key, it is no longer a double subdominant connection, but is used in a similar way.
Double subdominant | Subdominant | Tonic | in C major |
Subdominant | Tonic | Dominant | in F major |
This can be found in the songs, for example
- Just More ( Wonderwall )
- Feel ( Robbie Williams )
The double subdominant can also dissolve directly into the tonic.
Example:
- A Hard Day's Night ( The Beatles )
Individual evidence
- ↑ Ralf-Axel Krause: Your little music dictionary. 2nd edition, 2014, section 1.1.8.1, ISBN 978-3-7323-2876-5 .