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Music theory · Musical terms · Theory concepts

Subdominant (degree) — meaning in music

Subdominant (degree) is a musical term meaning 4th — five steps below the tonic. It is a theory concepts marking, first tested at Grade 3 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams. From that grade on, every written paper expects you to know it on sight.

Definition
4th — five steps below the tonic
Theory conceptsFirst tested: Grade 3
Translations
French4ème - cinq étapes en dessous de la tonique
German4. – fünf Schritte unter dem Tonikum
Italian4°: cinque gradini sotto la tonica
Spanish4to — cinco pasos por debajo de la tónica
Chinese4级——低于主补五级

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All theory concepts terms

AllemandeAlto rangeAnacrusisAnswer phraseArcoBar lineBass clefBass rangeBinary formBourréeCello clefCello rangeChromatic semitoneCompound intervalCouranteCrotchet (US name)DemisemiquaverDiatonic semitoneDominantDominant (degree)Double bar lineDouble bass clefDouble flat (𝄫)Double sharp (𝄪)Doubling ruleDupletFinal bar lineFlatGavotteGigueHarmonic minor scaleImperfect cadenceInterrupted cadenceInversion of a 3rdInversion of a 4thInversion of a 5thLeading noteLeger lineMediantMelodic minor scale (ascending)Melodic minor scale (descending)Minim (US name)MinuetModulate to the dominantModulate to the relative minorModulationNaturalNatural minor scaleParallel 5thsParallel 8vesPerfect cadencePivot chordPizzicatoPlagal cadenceQuaver (US name)Question phraseReal sequenceRelative minor of C majorRelative minor of F majorRelative minor of G majorRepeat signSarabandeSemibreve (US name)Semiquaver (US name)SemitoneSequenceSharpSlurSoprano rangeStave (staff)SubdominantSubdominant (degree)SubmediantSupertonicTenor rangeTernary formTieTonal sequenceToneTonicTonic (degree)Treble clefTripletViola clefViola rangeViolin clefViolin rangeVoice crossingVoice overlap