subdominant

/'sʌb'dɔminənt/

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Explanation of the Word "Subdominant"

Part of Speech: Noun (in music)

Usage Instructions:

• Use "subdominant" when discussing musical scales and their notes. It is mainly used in the context of music theory.

Example:

• In the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B), the subdominant note is F, because it is the fourth note in the scale.

Advanced Usage:

• In music composition, the subdominant chord (built on the subdominant note) can create a sense of movement and tension in a piece, leading to the dominant chord, which follows it.

Word Variants:

• Subdominant chord: This refers to a chord built on the subdominant note.
• Subdominant key: This refers to the key that is based on the subdominant note.

Different Meaning:

While "subdominant" primarily has a musical meaning, in a more general context, it can refer to something that is not the most important but still has a significant role. For example, in a social setting, a subdominant role might refer to someone who is important but does not take the lead.

Synonyms:

• In music, there are no direct synonyms for "subdominant," but related terms include:
  • Fourth (as in the fourth note of the scale)
  • Subdominant chord (when talking about harmony)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically associated with "subdominant," as it is a specialized term primarily used in music theory.

Summary:

The term "subdominant" is important for understanding musical scales and their structure.

Academic

Noun

1. (music) the fourth note of the diatonic scale