Tonal Harmony

Tonal harmony is the system of organizing music around a central pitch, called the key or tonic. It involves creating relationships between chords and notes that naturally feel connected, stable, and pleasing to the ear. Composers use specific rules to move smoothly from one chord to another, often emphasizing the tonic to create a sense of resolution and balance. This system underpins much of Western music, guiding how melodies and harmonies are constructed to evoke emotion and coherence within a piece.