What Does Subdominant Mean?

In music, the subdominant is the fourth tonal degree of the diatonic scale. It is so called because it is the same distance below the tonic as the dominant is above the tonic – in other words, the tonic is the dominant of the subdominant. It also happens to be the note one step below the dominant.

What does subdominant mean in English?

1 : the fourth tone of a major or minor scale. 2 : something partly but incompletely dominant especially : an ecologically important life form subordinate in influence to the dominants of a community. Other Words from subdominant Example Sentences Learn More About subdominant.

What is subdominant relationship?

In Riemannian theory, it is considered to balance the dominant around the tonic (being as far below the tonic as the dominant is above). The term subdominant may also refer to a relationship of musical keys. For example, relative to the key of C major, the key of F major is the subdominant.