What is subdominant?

What is subdominant?

• A. The second scale degree
• B. The fourth scale degree
• C. The fifth scale degree
• D. The first scale degree

Answer: (B)

Subdominant is the fourth scale degree of a key, and the chord built on that degree. In a major key, the IV chord sits on the fourth note (for example, in C major the subdominant is F major: F–A–C). In minor keys the corresponding chord is usually iv (a minor chord on the fourth degree). The name comes from its relationship to the dominant—the fourth degree lies just below the fifth, so this function often acts as a pre-dominant that moves the harmony toward the dominant and then resolves to the tonic. So the subdominant is the fourth scale degree. The second degree is the supertonic, the fifth is the dominant, and the first is the tonic.

Subdominant is the fourth scale degree of a key, and the chord built on that degree. In a major key, the IV chord sits on the fourth note (for example, in C major the subdominant is F major: F–A–C). In minor keys the corresponding chord is usually iv (a minor chord on the fourth degree). The name comes from its relationship to the dominant—the fourth degree lies just below the fifth, so this function often acts as a pre-dominant that moves the harmony toward the dominant and then resolves to the tonic. So the subdominant is the fourth scale degree. The second degree is the supertonic, the fifth is the dominant, and the first is the tonic.