submediant

/'sʌb'mi:diənt/
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submediant

A pianist plays the submediant note in a simple melody.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The sixth degree of a diatonic scale: In music theory, the submediant is the sixth note of a major or minor scale, located a third below the tonic (the first note of the scale). It serves as a harmonic and melodic function, often providing a sense of relaxation or movement away from the tonic.
Usage
  • The submediant is a fundamental concept in tonal harmony, frequently used in chord progressions.
  • It is typically notated with the Roman numeral vi in a major key or VI/vi in a minor key, depending on the quality of the chord built on that scale degree.
Examples
  • Noun:
    • In the key of C major, the submediant is the note A.
    • The chord progression from the tonic (I) to the submediant (vi) is very common in popular music.
    • Composers often use the submediant chord to create a feeling of softness or introspection before returning to the tonic.
Advanced Usage
  • "Submediant key": A key whose tonic is the submediant note of the original key. For example, the submediant key of C major is A minor.
  • "Submediant function": Describes the role of chords based on the sixth scale degree, which often prepares or leads to the dominant (V) chord or provides a contrasting, stable area away from the tonic.
Variants and Related Words
  • Mediant (n): The third degree of a diatonic scale, located a third above the tonic.
  • Tonic (n): The first degree and central note of a scale.
  • Dominant (n): The fifth degree of a diatonic scale.
Synonyms
  • Sixth scale degree: A purely technical synonym describing its position in the scale.
  • Superdominant: An older, less common term for the submediant, emphasizing its position a fifth above the supertonic (second degree).
Related Terms and Concepts
  • Relative minor/major: The submediant of a major key is the tonic of its relative minor key (e.g., A minor is the relative minor of C major).
  • Deceptive cadence: A cadence where the dominant chord (V) resolves not to the tonic (I) but to the submediant (vi), creating an unexpected harmonic shift.
submediant

A pianist plays the submediant note in a simple melody.

Noun
  1. (music) the sixth note of a major or minor scale (or the third below the tonic)

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