ABSTRACT
Tonal function refers to the behavior of chords. The function of a chord is the role that it plays in a musical context. There are three tonal functions: Tonic, Predominant, and Dominant. Think of chords as actors and each tonal function as a role in a script. Prolongation occurs when a tonal function is expanded over time, often with more than one chord. Different chords capable of serving the same function often appear back to back, in a series. A neighbor motion in the bass can support an inverted chord that is prolongational rather than functional. The music student are currently learning or performing, and the music students listen to on a daily basis, challenge yourself to hear the shifts of tonal function underlying surface-level chord changes. Different chords can serve each function, just as different actors can play a given role. However, some actors can play a role better than others, just as certain chords are better at serving a particular function.
