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Self-Test -- Root Movement in Secondary Dominants

Test your theory

Automatic recall of theoretical concepts can make recognition, analysis, and notation quick and easy.

Quiz yourself

  • What is the root movement when the progression goes V-I or V7-I in the tonicized key?
  • What is the root movement when the progression goes V6-I or V6/5-I in the tonicized key? (Clue: consider where the leading tone is in V6 and V6/5, and how leading tones must resolve.)
  • What is the root movement when the progression goes V4/3-I in the tonicized key?
  • Extra credit question: why can’t it be V6/4-I???
  • What is the root movement when the progression goes V4/2-I6 in the tonicized key?
  • Extra credit question: why can’t it be V4/2-I? (Clue: consider the voice-leading rules of how the dominant seventh chord resolves to the tonic.)

Memorize these rules of root movement in the context of logical voice-leading rules in music theory, and harmonic dictations will be easy for you.