Harmony
Tonic
- Definition
- The tonic is the first and most stable note or chord of a key, the harmonic 'home' that other chords are heard as moving toward or away from.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Songwriting stage
- writing
In practice
Every key is named after its tonic, and the tonic chord usually feels like the most settled, resolved point in a progression. Melodies and chord progressions create tension by moving away from the tonic and satisfaction by returning to it, which is why so many songs end on the tonic chord.
Recognizing the tonic in a key helps a songwriter understand why certain chord changes feel restless and others feel like coming home. A writer can use that pull deliberately, delaying a return to the tonic to build anticipation before a chorus, or landing on it early to create an immediate sense of calm.
Example
In a song written in the key of G, the G major chord serves as the tonic, and the chorus is built to land squarely on that chord at the end of every repeated line, giving each pass a satisfying sense of closure.