Perceived harmonic structure of chords in three related musical keys.

This study investigated the perceived harmonic relationships between the chords that belong to three closely related musical keys: a major key, the major key built on its dominant, and the relative minor key.Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering techniques applied to judgments of two-chord progressions showed a central core consisting of those chords that play primary harmonic functions in the three keys.Th& separation of chords unique to the keys and the multiple functions of chords shared by the different keys were simultaneously represented.A regular pattern of asymmetries was also found that suggests a hierarchy among different types of chords.In addition, there was a preference for sequences ending on chords central to the prevailing tonality.Comparison with earlier results on single tones points to differences between melodic and harmonic organization.