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Glite Dictionary
subtonic

subtonic

9.7
The seventh note one whole step below the main note of a key
  • noun
  • /sʌbˈtɒnɪk/
  • Specialized
: subtónica
  • Many folk melodies make use of the subtonic instead of the leading tone.

Examples

  • The subtonic provides a different harmonic feel compared to the traditional leading note.

  • When composing, musicians often choose the subtonic to create tension before resolving to the tonic.

  • In the key of C major, the subtonic is the note B♭.

  • The subtonic note is essential in music theory.

  • In the key of C, the subtonic is B.

  • In the key of C major, the subtonic is the note B♭.

  • Many folk melodies incorporate the subtonic for its unique sound.

Surface Forms

subtonic singular
subtonics plural

Morphology

subtonic = tonic (semi-transparent) = sub + tonic

Formally compositional ('sub-' = below + 'tonic' = keynote), but the precise meaning is specialized to music theory and may not be obvious to learners unfamiliar with musical terminology.

Etymology

Subtonic comes from the prefix sub- meaning 'under' and tonic meaning 'main tone' or 'main note'. Think of sub- like in submarine ('under the sea') and tonic as the main note of a scale, so the subtonic is the note 'under' the tonic, a whole step below the main note.