Primary tone

In Schenkerian analysis, the primary tone is the primary melodic pitch.[1]

"The primary tone is a structural melodic pitch of the tonic triad (usually \hat 3 or \hat 5, not \hat 1) that functions as the chief melodic focus."[1]

The fundamental line descends from a primary tone to the tonic accompanied by a bass arpeggiation.

See also

Sources

  1. ^ a b Stein, Deborah and Spillman, Robert (2010). Poetry Into Song: Performance and Analysis of Lieder, p.144. ISBN 9780199754304.