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.
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.
Degree (music)In music theory, the scale degree is the position of a particular note on a scale relative to the tonic—the first and main note of the scale from which each octave is assumed to begin. Degrees are useful for indicating the size of intervals and chords and whether an interval is major or minor. In the most general sense, the scale degree is the number given to each step of the scale, usually starting with 1 for tonic. Defining it like this implies that a tonic is specified.Roman numeral analysisIn music theory, Roman numeral analysis is a type of harmonic analysis in which chords are represented by Roman numerals, which encode the chord's degree and harmonic function within a given musical key. Specific notation conventions vary: some theorists use uppercase numerals (e.g. I, IV, V) to represent major chords, and lowercase numerals (e.g. ii, iii, vi) to represent minor chords. Others use uppercase numerals for all chords regardless of their quality.
Major chordA major chord is a triad with a major third and a perfect fifth above the root. The major chord above C is spelled C–E–G. StructureThe primary intervals in a major chord are the major third between the first and second notes, the perfect fifth between the first and third notes, and the minor third between the second and third notes. It is a tertian chord, because it is built in thirds. When the root of the chord is not in the bass, the chord is considered inverted.
Minor chordA minor chord is a triad with a minor third and a perfect fifth above the root. The minor triad built on C is spelled C–E♭–G. StructureThe primary intervals in a minor chord are the minor third above the root, and the perfect fifth above the root. There is a major third between the third and fifth. It is a tertian chord because it is built in thirds.A minor triad is represented by the integer notation {0,3,7}.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.)
Diatonic scaleIn music theory, a diatonic scale is a heptatonic (seven-note) scale that includes five whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semitones) in each octave, in which the two half steps are separated from each other by either two or three whole steps. In other words, the half steps are maximally separated from each other. The seven pitches of any diatonic scale can also be obtained by using a chain of six perfect fifths.
Key (music)In Western tonal music, a key represents the most common pitches and the center of tonal stability in a song or other composition. A key has two components: a tonic pitch and a mode. The tonic pitch is represented by a letter from A through G, sometimes modified by the accidental symbols ♯ (sharp) and ♭ (flat). This tonic represents the musical pitch which a piece will be oriented around and almost always conclude with.
MusicMusic 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. While scholars agree that music is defined by a small number of specific elements, there is no consensus as to what these necessary elements are.SolfègeIn music, solfège (UK: or US: ; French: [sɔlfɛʒ]) or solfeggio (; Italian: [solˈfeddʒo]), also called sol-fa, solfa, solfeo, among many names, is a mnemonic used in teaching aural skills, pitch and sight-reading of Western European music. Solfège is a form of solmization, although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably.Musical noteRepresentation of isolatable musical sound In music, notes are distinct and isolatable sounds that act as the most basic building blocks for nearly all of music. This discretization facilitates performance, comprehension, and analysis. Notes may be visually communicated by writing them in musical notation. Notes can distinguish the general pitch class or the specific pitch played by a pitched instrument.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.