Grundtones

Grundtones, the plural of Grundton, is a term used in music theory and acoustics to refer to fundamental tones. In German, Grundton denotes the basic pitch on which a note or chord is founded, and Grundtones can be understood as the fundamental pitches that underpin melodies and harmonies.

In tonal harmony, the Grundton of a chord is typically its root note, providing the reference point for intervallic relationships and chord function. The Grundtone is conceptually distinct from the higher harmonics produced by vibrating strings or air columns, though these overtones reinforce the perceived pitch. The idea helps explain why certain tones feel more stable within a key and how movement away from the Grundtone shapes tension and resolution.

In analysis and education, Grundtones assist in describing how chords are constructed and how inversions affect the tonal center. As voices move and omit or highlight non-grund tones, the Grundtones often anchor the sense of key and progression, guiding listeners through harmonic motion.

There is no widely documented musical ensemble or work specifically named “Grundtones” in major reference sources. The term is primarily linguistic, applied to the concept of fundamental tones rather than to a distinct artist or composition. English-language sources usually translate it as “fundamental tone” or “root note.”

See also: fundamental frequency, root note, overtone series, chord inversion, harmony.