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 determine the harmonic function, we first identify the tonal center and the role of the given note within the minor key context. In a minor key, options correspond to specific scale‑degree functions: tonic (I), supertonic (II), mediant (III), subdominant (IV), dominant (V), submediant (VI), subtonic (VII in natural minor), and leading-tone (VII in harmonic/melodic minor).

Option 1: tonic. The tonic is the home note, the first scale degree. The given note does not appear to function as the home tone in the context of a typical minor key cadence or melody; therefore this is unlikely because the note sits in a position that does not reinforce the tonic function.

Option 2: supertonic. The supertonic is the second scale degree. While it can appear in melodies, the feature or harmonic emphasis here does not align with a predominant II function, which would usually involve a stronger stepwise or chordal movement toward the dominant.

Option 3: mediant. The mediant is the third scale degree. Unless the melody clearly centers on mediant harmony or a related key change, the isolated note in this context does not strongly indicate a III function.

Option 4: subdominant. The subdominant is the fourth scale degree and often serves to lead away from the tonic toward the dominant. In many minor-key phrases, a note functioning as the fourth degree appears as a stable pivot that sets up the move to the dominant. Given the key signature (a minor key with flats) and the position of the note, this choice matches a typical subdominant function.

Option 5: dominant. The dominant is the fifth scale degree and commonly creates strong tension resolving back to the tonic. If the note were part of a dominant function, we would expect a tendency to resolve upward by a whole step to the tonic or a strong leading-tone gesture. The note in question does not exhibit that dominant‑function tendency.

Option 6: submediant. The submediant is the sixth scale degree. This function is less common as a predominant in this context and would not typically correspond to the given note’s pitch class here.

Option 7: subtonic. The subtonic is the lowered seventh degree of natural minor. In many minor keys, this pitch behaves differently from the leading-tone; if the key’s minor form uses the natural seventh, this could be a candidate, but in this scenario the pitch aligns more closely with a degree that precedes the dominant, not the lowered seventh.

Option 8: leading-tone. The leading-tone is the raised seventh in harmonic/melodic minor, which has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic. The given note does not display the typical leading-tone resolution pattern, so this is unlikely.

In summary, analyzing the pitch position within a minor-key context shows the note more characteristic of moving from the tonic area toward the dominant, which is the function of the subdominant. Therefore, the subdominant option best fits the harmonic role of the given note. The other choices either imply a home (tonic), a more tense dominant tendency, or a scale-degree role that does not align with the note’s melodic/harmonic 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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