Primary tone

In Schenkerian analysis, the primary tone or head tone (German: Kopfton) is the starting tone of the fundamental line.

The fundamental line itself originates as an arpeggiation of the tonic chord, filled by passing tones: The primary tone therefore necessarily is one of the higher tones of the tonic chord, , or .

The fundamental line descends from its primary tone to the tonic, : This music theory article is a stub.

You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Free Composition , Example 4. Fundamental line in relation to the tonic triad. The possible primary tones are shown as whole notes: scale degree 8 , scale degree 5 or scale degree 3 .
The minimal fundamental structure. Primary tone: scale degree 3 .
Play ⓘ .