Timeline for Definition of Functional Harmony

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Apr 26, 2019 at 20:54	comment	added	Max		There are categories beyond "modal" and "(Classically) functional." There is clearly a sense of flow to the I V vi IV progression (even though it lacks Classically functional root movement) that isn't found in a truly modal piece like "So What." Perhaps you could argue (although I personally wouldn't) for positioning functional vs. modal as opposite ends of a spectrum. Then Classical music would be near-ideally "functional" while Gregorian chant would be near-ideally modal. But to me this model trades away too much accuracy for the sake of simplicity.
Apr 26, 2019 at 16:19	comment	added	Basstickler		I like your approach here, however, I would point out that scientists and the like do tend to treat data as a plural word and similarly, I would expect music theorists, in a formal conversation, to conform to the actual meanings of these words, which is essentially what is in dispute. My thought is generally that if the chords don't really demonstrate the Classical functions, it makes more sense to think of them as Modal in nature. For instance, this standard pop progression could be thought of as being in Ionian instead of Major.
Apr 26, 2019 at 6:33	history	edited	Max	CC BY-SA 4.0	added 71 characters in body
Apr 26, 2019 at 1:09	history	answered	Max	CC BY-SA 4.0