A perfect chord (major or minor) heard in isolation is immediately accepted by the ears as the tonic chord. But a succession of different chords based on their relationships determine the tonal sensation. This sensation is only finished when the ear grasps the tonic chord prepared by the sequence.
Guidelines
- Preferably begin a piece with the tonic chord due to the immediate tonal impression of the first chord.
- A succession of different chords is satisfactory only when it results in a precise tonal impression.
- The tonic must be the final chord of any piece of music.
Old Music Theory 