The Perceptual Attraction of Pre-Dominant Chords

Among the three primary tonal functions described in modern theory textbooks, pre-dominant has highest number of representative chords. We posit that one unifying feature function is its attraction to V, and experiment reported here investigates factors may contribute this perception. Participants were junior/senior music majors, freshman people from general population recruited on Prolific.co. In each trial, four Shepard-tone sounds key C presented: 1) tonic note, 2) 31 different chords, 3) dominant triad, 4) note. rated strength between second third Across all individuals, diatonic chromatic chords significantly higher than non-pre-dominant bridge Further, training moderated relationship, with individuals more rating as being attracted dominant. A final data analysis modeled role empirical features preceding V chord, finding roots moving down by fifth, less acoustical roughness, semitones adjacent significant predictors ratings.