In tonal music, which chord is characterized as the dominant?

The dominant chord is essential in tonal music as it serves a crucial role in establishing and resolving tension within a musical piece. The dominant chord is built on the fifth degree of the scale, which is known as the dominant. For example, in the key of C major, the dominant chord is G major (notes G, B, and D).

This chord has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic chord (the I chord), which creates a feeling of completion or resolution. It typically includes the leading tone from the scale, which is the seventh scale degree, adding to its sense of tension that seeks resolution.

In contrast, the other chords mentioned—like the II, I, and IV chords—serve different functions within tonal harmony. The II chord is known as the supertonic, the I chord is the tonic itself (the home base of the key), and the IV chord is known as the subdominant. Each of these chords has its own unique role but does not function in the same way as the dominant chord in terms of creating and resolving harmonic tension.