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 )	${\displaystyle G^{b}-D^{b}-A^{b}}$
Song for Guy ( Elton John )	${\displaystyle C-{\frac {G}{B}}-B^{b}-F}$

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.

${\displaystyle B^{b}}$	${\displaystyle F}$	${\displaystyle C}$
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

1. ↑ Ralf-Axel Krause: Your little music dictionary. 2nd edition, 2014, section 1.1.8.1, ISBN 978-3-7323-2876-5 .