Based on the MINOR key signature, what is the harmonic function of the given note?

[ Select ]
tonic
supertonic
mediant
subdominant
dominant
submediant
subtonic
leading-tone

Question

Based on the MINOR key signature, what is the harmonic function of the given note?

[ Select ]
tonic
supertonic
mediant
subdominant
dominant
submediant
subtonic
leading-tone

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To analyze this question properly, we first identify the implied key from the MINOR key signature shown. With three sharps in the key signature, the minor key corresponding to that signature is F-sharp minor (the relative minor of A major). In F-sharp minor, the scale degrees are: F# (I), G# (ii), A (III), B (iv), C# (V), D (VI), E (VII), and the leading-tone is E# in harmonic minor context.

Option 1: tonic. The tonic in F-sharp minor is F# (the first scale degree). If the given note were F#, its harmonic function would be tonic, not dominant. Since the question’s note is not necessarily F#, this option is only correct if the note identified is the tonic, which we aren’t told.

Option 2: supertonic. The supertonic in F-sharp minor is G#. This functions as a predominant area, preparing dominant or leading-tone movement. If the note were G#, it would be supertonic, but that depends on the actual note shown.

Option 3: mediant. The mediant is A in F-sharp minor. A note functioning as mediant would move the harmony toward minor III or related colors, not typically described as dominant. This would be incorrect for a dominant-function note.

Option 4: subdominant. The subdominant is B. A B in minor often acts as a predominant, leading toward the dominant region, but by itself it is not the dominant function. So it would be wrong if the task is to identify the dominant function.

Option 5: dominant. In F-sharp minor, the dominant is C# (often spelled C# major in harmonic minor context). If the given note is C# (or its enharmonic equivalent in that harmonic context), its function is to create a strong drive to the tonic F# through resolution, establishing the dominant function. This is the typical harmonic role that creates tension resolved by the tonic.

Option 6: submediant. The submediant is D in F-sharp minor, which is more distant harmonically and does not provide the main dominant pull. It would be unlikely to serve as the dominant-function note.

Option 7: subtonic. The subtonic in minor keys is E (natural 7th) or, in harmonic minor, typically raised to E#. However, the common subtonic label refers to the lowered seventh scale degree and does not describe the dominant function. If the note were E or E#, its function would be not dominant in the standard sense.

Option 8: leading-tone. The leading-tone in F-sharp minor is E# in the harmonic minor context. This tone strongly leads to F#, signaling a resolution to the tonic rather than creating the dominant function itself. Therefore, E# would be leading-tone, not dominant.

In summary, the note's harmonic function depends on which pitch is given. If the note is C# (the fifth scale degree in F-sharp minor) and interpreted within the harmonic minor framework, its function is the dominant, which creates the characteristic tension resolving to the tonic F#. The other functions (tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, submediant, subtonic, leading-tone) describe different roles within the key and do not describe the dominant function that unifies a V–I resolution in this context.

Based on the MINOR key signature, what is the harmonic function of the given note? [ Select ] tonic supertonic mediant subdominant dominant submediant subtonic leading-tone

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