Tonic (music)In music, "tonic" refers to the originating note or chord of a particular key. Scales are based on their tonic pitch, or tonic note, which is why they begin and end with their tonic pitch. This is also why scales are named after their tonics: for instance, the tonic of the C major scale is the note C. In the movable do solfège system, the tonic note is sung as do.
SubdominantIn 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 below the dominant. In the movable do solfège system, the subdominant note is sung as fa. The triad built on the subdominant note is called the subdominant chord.Triad (music)In music, a triad is a set of three notes (or "pitch classes") that can be stacked vertically in thirds. Triads are the most common chords in Western music. When stacked in thirds, notes produce triads. The triad's members, from lowest-pitched tone to highest, are called: the root Note: Inversion does not change the root. (The third or fifth can be the lowest note.)
Function (music)In music, function (also harmonic function or tonal function) denotes the relationship of a chord or scale degree to a tonal centre. Two main theories of tonal functions exist today: The German theory created by Hugo Riemann in his Vereinfachte Harmonielehre of 1893, which soon became an international success (English and Russian translations in 1896, French translation in 1899), and which is the theory of functions properly speaking.
Minor thirdIn music theory, a minor third is a musical interval that encompasses three half steps, or semitones. Staff notation represents the minor third as encompassing three staff positions (see: interval number). The minor third is one of two commonly occurring thirds. It is called minor because it is the smaller of the two: the major third spans an additional semitone.
Dominant (music)In music, the dominant is the fifth scale degree () of the diatonic scale. It is called the dominant because it is second in importance to the first scale degree, the tonic. In the movable do solfège system, the dominant note is sung as "So(l)". The triad built on the dominant note is called the dominant chord. The chord is said to have dominant function, which means that it creates an instability that requires the tonic for resolution.
Major thirdIn music theory, a third is a musical interval encompassing three staff positions (see Interval number for more details), and the major third (Play) is a third spanning four half steps or two whole steps. Along with the minor third, the major third is one of two commonly occurring thirds. It is described as major because it is the larger interval of the two: The major third spans four semitones, whereas the minor third only spans three.
Chord (music)A chord is the simultaneous sound of two or more musical notes. The most common chord has three notes and is known as a triad. Added tone chords, extended chords, and tone clusters can have more than three notes and are common in contemporary classical music and jazz. An arpeggio is a chord where notes are sounded separately. A series of chords is sometimes called a chord progression.
HarmonyIn music, harmony is the concept of combining different sounds in order to create new, distinct musical ideas. Theories of harmony seek to describe or explain the effects created by distinct pitches or tones coinciding with one another; harmonic objects such as chords, textures and tonalities are identified, defined, and categorized in the development of these theories.TonalityIn music theory, the tonality of a piece is its perceived key or mode. Tonality centers around a tonicnote and chord, where the piece is most stable, and may be indicated by clues such as a key signature or the function of the piece's chords. For example, in the key of Cmajor, the tonic note is C, and the tonic triad is Cmajor (consisting of notes C, E and G). Similarly, in B Lydian, the tonic note is B, and the tonic triad is Bmajor (consisting of notes B, D# and F#).
MusicForm of art using soundGrooved side of the Voyager Golden Record launched aboard the Voyager probes to space, which features music from around the worldMusic is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all human societies. Definitions of music vary widely in substance and approach.
Diatonic and chromaticDiatonic and chromatic are terms in music theory that are used to characterize scales. The terms are also applied to musical instruments, intervals, chords, notes, musical styles, and kinds of harmony. They are very often used as a pair, especially when applied to contrasting features of the common practice music of the period 1600–1900. These terms may mean different things in different contexts.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.