In the context of functional chord symbols, what does a lowercase 'i' indicate?

In functional chord symbols, a lowercase 'i' indicates a minor tonic. This notation is used to represent the root of a minor tonic chord within the context of music theory. In a minor key, the tonic chord serves as the home base or central chord around which a piece of music is organized.

The use of lowercase letters signifies that the chord is minor, distinguishing it from uppercase letters, which denote major chords. In this system, the minor tonic is typically built on the first scale degree of the minor scale and forms the foundation for the harmonic structure. Understanding this concept is crucial for interpreting and analyzing music in a minor key since the tonic chord plays a significant role in establishing tonality and guiding harmonic progressions.