Lesson 27 Seconday dominant of the supertonic

Lesson 27 Seconday dominant of the supertonic

Part I - Introduction

Secondary dominants of the supertonic are found almost exclusively in major keys.  This is because the chord quality of the ii chord in minor keys.  Recall that the ii chord in minor keys is diminished.  While it is rare, it is possible to alter the quality of the ii chord in the minor key to be minor so that the resolution is not as awkward.

 Fig.1 secondary dominant of ii in C Major

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 Fig.2 vii°⁷/ii in C major

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Here is the progression in c minor.

Fig.3 V/ii in c minor

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Part II - altered scale degrees
As with secondary dominants, there are certain altered scale degrees that are indicative of secondary dominants of the supertonic.  With the fully diminished vii°7/ii, the secondary dominant requires another altered tone in addition to the raised tonic.

Fig.4 vii°⁷/ii in D Major

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Part III - Position in the chord progression

As with other secondary dominants, the secondary dominant of the supertonic proceeds the ii chord in the progression.  The circle of fifths progression, as you know is:
I     iii    vi    ii    V    I

                     ^

so, we can insert the V/ii right here

thus making the progression:
I     iii       vi    V/ii        ii       V       I

So far, the entire progression is:

I     iii       vi        V/ii       ii        V/V        V         I