Harmony

Consonant

sounds that are pleasant and stable together

Dissonant

Sounds that create tension and feel unstable

Diatonic

Harmony that stays within a key or scale

Chromatic

Harmony that includes notes outside the key or scale

Tonic

The “home” chord, built on the first scale degree

Dominant

The fifth scale degree chord, creating tension that resolves to the tonic

Subdominant

The fourth scale degree chord, often leading to the dominant

Modulation

Shifting from one key to another within a piece

Cadence

A progression of chords that ends a phrase or section

Secondary dominant

A dominant chord that temporarily suggests a new key

Pedal

A sustained note, often in the bass, around which harmony changes

Harmonic rhythm

The rate at which chords change in a piece

Parallel harmony

Harmony that moves in parallel intervals (octaves, fifths etc)

Extended chords

Chords with added notes (7ths, 9ths, 13ths)

Functional harmony

Harmony that follows traditional. roles or functions within a key