Topmusicanswers
- What is a submediant chord?
- Why is 6 called submediant?
- What is the submediant in the key of a major?
- What is the function of the mediant chord?
What is a submediant chord?
The Submediant Chord (vi or VI)
The submediant chord functions as a weak pre-dominant. Its most typical role is leading from the tonic to a strong pre-dominant (such as IV or ii). The common tones between the submediant and all of these chords allow for smooth and easy voice-leading.
Why is 6 called submediant?
The sixth scale degree is called the submediant. The term submediant shares the same source as the subdominant. The sixth scale degree is a third (mediant) below the tonic, hence the name submediant, or lower mediant.
What is the submediant in the key of a major?
6. A major scale degrees
| Note no. | Degree name |
|---|---|
| 3 | C# is the mediant of the A major scale |
| 4 | D is the subdominant of the A major scale |
| 5 | E is the dominant of the A major scale |
| 6 | F# is the submediant of the A major scale |
What is the function of the mediant chord?
The mediant chord functions as a very weak pre-dominant — so weak that it almost always leads to stronger pre-dominant chords, rarely progressing directly to V. One of its most important uses is to harmonize 7 as it descends in the melody.
