kehityssävellyksiä

Kehityssävelluokat, known in English as developing chords or transitional chords, are harmonic devices used in music to create a sense of forward motion or progression towards a goal chord. They are not typically standalone chord types but rather a functional description of how a chord behaves within a harmonic context. The primary purpose of a kehityssävelluokka is to lead smoothly and logically to the next chord, often implying a cadence or a modulation.

These chords often function as pre-dominants or delayed resolutions. A common example is a chord that is a dominant seventh or ninth of a chord that is itself a dominant seventh of the target chord. For instance, in C major, a G7 chord leads to C. However, a D7 chord, which is the dominant of G7, can precede G7, creating a richer progression towards C. In this case, the D7 acts as a kehityssävelluokka leading to the G7, which then leads to the tonic.

The concept is closely related to functional harmony, where chords are understood by their roles within a key. Kehityssävelluokkia can involve chromaticism, borrowed chords, or altered chords, all serving the purpose of enhancing the momentum and interest of the harmonic journey. Their use is prevalent in various musical styles, from classical music to jazz and popular music, contributing to the complexity and expressiveness of compositions. The specific nomenclature "kehityssävelluokka" is primarily used within Finnish music theory discourse.