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: In accordance with the arpeggiation from which it stems, the fundamental line exhibits the space of a third, fifth, or octave. These spaces are 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, :

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: In accordance with the arpeggiation from which it stems, the fundamental line exhibits the space of a third, fifth, or octave. These spaces are 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, :