Information About

Supertonic




The function of the supertonic chord in a Tonal / Functional context is to either establish the dominant as a Secondary Tonic , the supertonic being the dominant of the dominant or V/V, or to progress to the Dominant either as a part of sectional form or part of a chord progression such as the circle of fifths (V/V-V-I, in C: D-G-C). When spelled diatonically, the supertonic is a minor triad in a major key, and a diminished triad in a minor key.

"Supertonic" also refers to a relationship of musical keys. For example, relative to the key of C major, the key of D major (or D minor) is the supertonic. Modulation (change of key) to the supertonic is relatively rare, compared to modulation to the Dominant .

In German theory derived from Hugo Riemann the supertonic is considered the Subdominant Parallel : Sp/T in major and sP/T in minor.