Secondary Dominants
Many of these are on the Progressions PDF, which includes matching scales.
Secondary dominants are chords that serve as the dominant (V chord) to a chord other than the tonic in a key. They are used to temporarily tonicize or “lead” to a chord within the key, adding harmonic interest and tension before resolving. This technique is widely used across many music genres for its ability to enrich harmonic progressions.
Secondary Dominants Progressions
| Key | Progression | Description/Style |
|---|---|---|
| F | F - G - E - Am | Adds tension and release, moving through a bright resolution. |
| G | G - A - F# - Bm | Creates a sense of anticipation, leading to a minor resolve. |
| A | A - B - G# - C#m | Offers a dramatic lift before settling into a minor mood. |
| Bb | Bb - C - A - Dm | Introduces a compelling narrative turn, resolving softly. |
| C | C - D - B - Em | Builds a rich harmonic texture, leading to an emotive end. |
| D | D - E - C# - F#m | Engages with a moment of tension, before a resolving calm. |
Chord Diagrams
F G E Am A F# Bm Bb
e|-1-------3-------0-------0-------0-------2-------2-------1-|
B|-1-------3-------0-------1-------2-------2-------3-------3-|
G|-2-------0-------1-------2-------2-------3-------4-------3-|
D|-3-------0-------2-------2-------2-------4-------4-------3-|
A|-3-------2-------2-------0-------0-------4-------2-------1-|
E|-1-------3-------0---------------0-------2-----------------|
Bar Open Open Open Open Bar Bar Bar
C A Dm D B C#m Em F#m
e|-0-------0-------1-------2-------x-------4-------0-------2-|
B|-1-------2-------3-------3-------4-------5-------0-------2-|
G|-0-------2-------2-------2-------4-------6-------0-------2-|
D|-2-------2-------0-------0-------4-------6-------2-------4-|
A|-3-------0---------------x-------2-------4-------2-------4-|
E|---------0---------------x---------------x-------0-------2-|
Open Open Open Open Bar Bar Open Bar