subtonic

subtonic in British English (sʌbˈtɒnɪk ) noun. music. the seventh degree of a major or minor scale. Also called: leading note.

The subtonic marks our first serious departure from the tonic; notice how the end of tonic expansion makes the III chord sound like an important harmonic event. Contrary motion in the outer voices makes the i – VII progression in this example easy to part-write.

In natural minor, the seventh note is a whole step below the tonic. In this case, the note is called a subtonic (or “flattened leading note”). Play the C Natural Minor scale, notice how the seventh tone lacks the desire to lead into the tonic.

The leading tone In scales with a lowered seventh degree, like the natural minor or the blues scale, the seventh scale degree is called the subtonic. This is true for these minor scale degrees. The subtonic is a second below the tonic, like the supertonic is a second above the tonic.

The leading tone In scales with a lowered seventh degree, like the natural minor or the blues scale, the seventh scale degree is called the subtonic. This is true for these minor scale degrees. The subtonic is a second below the tonic, like the supertonic is a second above the tonic.

The supertonic is another name for scale degree two in a major or minor scale. For example, a dominant seventh chord must always contain the scale's leading tone with the dominant as the root.

seventh note In natural minor, the seventh note is a whole step below the tonic. In this case, the note is called a subtonic. In natural minor, the seventh note is a whole step below the tonic. In this case, the note is called a subtonic (or “flattened leading note”).

The leading tone is the semitone between the 7th scale degree and the tonic note. The leading tone 'points' strongly to the tonic, which is why it's called the leading tone. The subtonic is the whole tone below the tonic, so, with respect to the tonic, the subtonic has much less inherent tension than the leading tone.

Scale Degrees

In natural minor, the seventh note is a whole step below the tonic. In this case, the note is called a subtonic. In natural minor, the seventh note is a whole step below the tonic. In this case, the note is called a subtonic (or “flattened leading note”).

keynote tonic, also called keynote, in music, the first note (degree) of any diatonic (e.g., major or minor) scale.

Where can you use the supertonic?

1. As a chord extension. As I mentioned before, the 9th is one of the most common chord extensions found on major and minor seventh chords.
2. As a melodic center. The supertonic shows up most often in modern music as a strong note in a melodic line.
3. As a chord root.
4. As a suspension.