Why the Dominant chord is called dominant?

[balabolka]

Why the Dominant chord is called dominant?

(let's eliminate the irrelevant flood of text, so stick to the words)

What could it possibly  d o m i n a t e ?

[perfect_pitch]

Why the Dominant chord is called dominant?

(let's eliminate the irrelevant flood of text, so stick to the words)

What could it possibly  d o m i n a t e ?

Really??? You created an entire thread just to mock the flow of the other thread (Why the note A is where it is on the piano keys)

Really mature.

[balabolka]

Really??? You created an entire thread just to mock the flow of the other thread (Why the note A is where it is...

I am sorry, what are you talking about?
This is a simple and valid question for a Music Theory section in a Piano forum.

If you do not want to share your opinion, i.e. an answer, then do not try turning it into open private messagin thread.

[perfect_pitch]

I've seen how the discussion went on the A note thread, so I can only assume this is going to go the EXACT same way.

This is a simple and valid question for a Music Theory section in a Piano forum.

It is called the Dominant chord because the 5th note of the scale is called the Dominant.
Why is the Dominant note called the Dominant?

BECAUSE IT JUST IS!!!

[andrew_s]

The chord on the fifth scale degree has a strong pull toward the tonic (our musical “home”) because the third and seventh of the dominant chord set up tension, direction, and expectation. So it effectively "dominates" the harmonic motion. The name follows the function, not the other way around.

[balabolka]

BECAUSE IT JUST IS!!!

Ok, you are a funny person. I hope you were not serious writing this and will take it as a joke.

[balabolka]

It has a strong pull toward the tonic (our musical “home”) because the third and seventh of the dominant chord set up tension, direction, and expectation... effectively "dominates" the harmonic motion.

Strong, but what makes it strong? (then I will agree strong is synonym to dominant, in this case)
Set up tension? Can you explain the "tension", "pull" using only (am giving you a big hint here) musical elements as sound? Then I will agree tension pull is caused by something 'strong'. Although, dominant is a bit different than strong. Dominant is being strong without having to show it. A king might not be as strong as any of his soldiers, but he dominates them.

I would consider the "pull to a musical home" a stylistic preference though. Unless we are speaking of generalized tonality. For example in modulation, it does not have to be directed to the new tonic at all but the overall tonality.
But I understand, what you wrote is what the textbooks say. But never explain, instead using subjective adjectives such as "strong", "feeling home", "tension".

[thorn]

Because it f*cks all the other notes in a massive orgy. Don't kink shame.

[balabolka]

Because it f*cks all the other notes in a massive orgy. Don't kink shame.

Ok, but no. I hope you are just a teenager who wants to know.
Let's see what lostinidlewonder will pull up from the AI's sleeve.
 lostinidlewonder, just try to edit it a bit so it doesn't blow up the thread. It will… who am I kidding.

[dizzyfingers]

Why the Dominant chord is called dominant?
(let's eliminate the irrelevant flood of text, so stick to the words)
What could it possibly  d o m i n a t e ?

Not sure why you would ask that here instead of doing a little online research - - -

"The term comes from early music theory, referring to the important "reciting tone" (often the fifth degree) in chants that was frequently used and "dominated" the melody."

[balabolka]

"The "reciting tone" (often the fifth degree) in chants that was frequently used and "dominated" the melody."

How often? And you are talking about a tone. Not sure what "dominated the melody" means. Ah, frequently!
Examples maybe? But you speak about a tone.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM I like this one!

I don’t think all major chords with a flat 7 should be called dominant chords.  I think a TRUE dominant chord is something that totally stands out from the rest.  It dominates attention I guess???

Cause you could resolve on a C7 but it doesn’t FEEL very tensiony.  You could have a straight up minor 7 chord and that can feel more tensiony than anything else.  So dominant is more about context IMO 

Idk I’m just speaking from the dome here so if it doesn’t make sense then whatever. 

[dizzyfingers]

How often? And you are talking about a tone. Not sure what "dominated the melody" means. Ah, frequently!
Examples maybe? But you speak about a tone.

English is not your first language?
Or are you completely unfamiliar with music theory, terminology?

[dizzyfingers]

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM I like this one!

I don’t think all major chords with a flat 7 should be called dominant chords.  I think a TRUE dominant chord is something that totally stands out from the rest.  It dominates attention I guess???

Cause you could resolve on a C7 but it doesn’t FEEL very tensiony.  You could have a straight up minor 7 chord and that can feel more tensiony than anything else.  So dominant is more about context IMO 

Idk I’m just speaking from the dome here so if it doesn’t make sense then whatever.

It doesn't.

You visiting the dome of the temple of leaf?

this post = = The forging of a new music theory by rachmaninoff_forever, using the same terms but new meanings.

[balabolka]

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM I like this one!
So, dominant is more about context IMO.

Contextually, indeed we can "shape" a chord so it expresses dominant role.
And it doesn't have to express subjective features such as "tension" although some people would associate "tension" with dissonance. It strongly depends on culture or style broadly speaking.

The question is much more simple, so it concerns the chord, not its function in some voice leading of some melody or stylistic movement maybe in reharmonization or such subjective decisions for composition.

English is not your first language?
Or are you completely unfamiliar with music theory, terminology?

English is my third language or second (currently). I think you maybe referring to a stylistic approach at melody where the melody would reach that tone as highest, mostly related to tetrachordal cadences. That was mostly folk music movement. But I surely do not know how it was with church chants. Probably they borrowed such movement but I doubt it lasted longer as influence. Nothing is impossible.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It doesn't.

You high?

this post = = The forging of a new music theory by rachmaninoff_forever, using the same terms but new meanings.

When I’m explaining a chart to someone I and other people use dominant and Bb7 (or any other key) interchangeably

  Terminology is just used to explain what you hear or what’s going on in the music, but the actual vocabulary doesn’t have anything to do with theory

But when I’m explaining

[perfect_pitch]

Let's see what lostinidlewonder will pull up from the AI's sleeve.
 lostinidlewonder, just try to edit it a bit so it doesn't blow up the thread. It will… who am I kidding.

Ahh... so you admit you're just trying to bait a user into using AI for a response... why?

Why not use AI yourself and find out... why the prompting for someone else to do it???

This thread is a joke, same as the OP who started it.

I hope we won't see more threads like 'why is the mediant called the mediant'?

[lostinidlewonder]

.
Let's see what lostinidlewonder will pull up from the AI's sleeve.
 lostinidlewonder, just try to edit it a bit so it doesn't blow up the thread. It will… who am I kidding.

Your question is easy to answer with AI as with your other questions so far.. You're attention seeking on here?

Why are people engaging wirh you when youre asking a question you think you already believe you know better than others? Youre posting a "gotchya' attempt to try and look like a super smart guru?

[keypeg]

Why are people engaging ....

I was hoping they wouldn't.

[balabolka]

Ahh... so you admit you're just trying to bait a user into using AI for a response... why?

I hope we won't see more threads like 'why is the mediant called the mediant'?

It (the AI answers) was more of a semi‑sarcastic pinch at lostinidlewonder. He seems to enjoy it, so why not. And quite frankly it is not much involved into such topics so it can learn.

The mediant, well not really. But you missed the sub‑Dominant. You can say it is sub‑ because it is below (from lower note) compared to the Dominant. But it has 'dominant' in its name so… the question is referable to it as well.

You're posting a "gotchya' attempt to try and look like a super smart guru?

To look smart – no. To raise awareness and provoke thinking – yes.
Also, it is very well my own personal view and I am completely fine with the typical "tension" explanation. I do not get it and it does not matter – just a name.
But so is with the A, B, C, D, E, F, G. I guess "Ignorance is bliss." works here as well.

[perfect_pitch]

Note to OP: