Sointukierron

Sointukierron is a term used in Finnish music theory to describe the pattern or cycle of chords that moves a piece of Western tonal harmony forward in a predictable, cyclical way. The word combines sointu (chord) and kierto (cycle or rotation), reflecting the idea that chords travel through a repeating sequence to create direction and resolution.

In analysis, sointukierron refers to the way chords are arranged and related within a key, often leveraging relationships suggested by the circle of fifths and common voice-leading practices. The concept covers both diatonic progressions and more extended sequences that contribute to a sense of motion, tension, and release. Typical examples include functional progressions such as tonic–subdominant–dominant–tonic (I–IV–V–I) and, in jazz and pop contexts, patterns like ii–V–I or I–vi–IV–V, which can be viewed as cyclical ways of moving through related chords.

The idea is closely connected to harmony teaching: it provides a framework for understanding how progressions relate to harmonic function (tonic, subdominant, dominant) and how modulations or temporary tonicizations can be achieved by extending the cycle. Sointukierron is most useful in tonal or modal harmony and is less applicable in atonal or strictly non-functional music.

See also: sointu, harmonic progression, circle of fifths, tonal harmony, Finnish music theory.