What is Functional Harmony?

Functional Harmony is a system of tonal music theory in which chords are organized based on their relationship to a central key and their role within a progression. It is known for creating a sense of movement, tension, and resolution.

The system typically categorizes chords into functions such as tonic (rest), dominant (tension), and subdominant (preparation), each contributing to the overall direction of the music.

Functional Harmony emphasizes chord relationships and progressions, guiding how music moves from stability to tension and back to resolution.

It is commonly used in Western classical, pop, jazz, and many other styles, forming the foundation for understanding chord progressions and musical structure.

Today, Functional Harmony remains a core concept in music theory, widely taught and applied in composition, analysis, and performance across genres.