Music Theory questions.

What is implied in the operating system when we speak of tonal music? What does it mean when we say that a piece of music is in D major?

Tonal music implies music that contains tonality. It means that the use of keys (major or minor) and its scale govern the pitch structure, both in the melodic and harmonic material of the piece. Thus when we say that a piece of music is in D major, we mean that the pitch D is the central, organizing force, it serves as a goal of motion and a point of repose.

How do the different scale steps of a key create impressions of stability and instability in music? Give some examples.

In the context of major and minor keys, some scale steps have particular functions or tendencies. These functions and tendencies create impressions of stability and instability that are extremely critical to the coherence of tonal music. The most stable element in the scale is the tonic. The least stable scale step is the leading tone. It is a tendency tone that wants to resolve to the tonic.

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