Music Theory Spectrum 17:2, 196–214

From a prototype-theoretic point of view the three harmonic func From a prototype-theoretic point of view the three harmonic func tions known as tonic, subdominant, and dominant are three tions known as tonic, subdominant, and dominant are three (partially-overlapping) chord-categories; and the three primary tri (partially-overlapping) chord-categories; and the three primary tri ads, namely I, IV, and V, are prototypes of these categories, re ads, namely I, IV, and V, are prototypes of these categories, re spectively. A theory is proposed, which accounts for these categories spectively. A theory is proposed, which accounts for these categories and prototypes.