What is the function of the It +6 chord in music?

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The It +6 chord, or Italian sixth chord, primarily serves as a predominant chord in music, which traditionally leads to the dominant chord. Its structure typically consists of a major third, augmented sixth, and the bass note, creating a unique sonority. This chord is particularly effective in establishing tension because of its dissonance and how it resolves to the dominant chord (V). The augmented sixth interval in the chord is specifically designed to push towards that resolution, enhancing the sense of movement in the harmonic progression.

While it may provide color and contribute to the overall harmonic landscape, its primary role centers around creating tension due to this pull towards resolution. The context provided by the other options might involve aspects like enhancing color or breaking melodic lines, but the It +6 chord directly functions to build tension that yearns to resolve, making it a significant tool in classical harmonic progressions.

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