preharmonic

Preharmonic refers to a concept in music theory describing a chord or progression that strongly implies or leads towards a tonic chord without actually being the tonic itself. It is essentially a harmonic preparation for the arrival of the tonic. This anticipation is often achieved through specific voice leading, melodic motion, or harmonic relationships that create a sense of expectation and resolution.

A common example of preharmonic function is the dominant chord (V) or a chord built on the leading tone (vii°). The dominant chord, in particular, has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic due to its inherent harmonic tension, often created by the presence of the leading tone and subdominant in its intervals. Other chords can also function preharmonically depending on their context within a musical phrase. For instance, a secondary dominant chord, which is a dominant chord of a chord other than the tonic, can create a preharmonic effect for that target chord, which in turn might be part of a larger preharmonic progression leading to the overall tonic.

The perception of preharmonicity is subjective and depends on the listener's familiarity with tonal conventions. It contributes to the sense of forward motion and structure in music, guiding the listener's ear through harmonic landscapes and creating a satisfying sense of arrival when the tonic is finally reached. Understanding preharmonic relationships is crucial for analyzing harmonic progressions and for composers aiming to create effective and engaging musical narratives.