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

First, let's identify the setup: the question asks for the harmonic function of a given note within a MINOR key signature. The list of possible tonal-functions (based on standard scale-degree nomenclature) typically includes: tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, subtonic, and leading-tone.

Option analysis:
- Tonic: The tonic is the i (or I) function, the home pitch or chord. This note would need to be the scale-degree 1 to function as tonic. If the given note is not the first degree of the minor scale, this option is incorrect.
- Supertonic: The supertonic corresponds to scale-degree 2. It creates motion from 2 to 1 or 5 in typical progressions. If the note is not the second degree, this is not its function.
- Mediant: The mediant is scale-degree 3. It often appears as a color-tone or in mediant relationships, but the exact pitch would need to be the third degree to claim this function.
- Subdominant: The subdominant is scale-degree 4, serving as predominant motion toward the dominant. The note would have to be the fourth degree to be this function.
- Dominant: The dominant is scale-degree 5, a strong pull to the tonic. If the pitch is not the fifth degree, this isn’t the function.
- Submediant: The submediant is scale-degree 6. In a minor key, the VI degree functions as the submediant and often leads to the dominant or tonic via modal/functional routes; the given note, identified as the submediant in the question, aligns with this function when the pitch corresponds to the sixth scale degree of the minor key.
- Subtonic: The subtonic is the lowered seventh degree (flat 7) found in natural minor or Mixolydian contexts; it would only apply if the pitch is the lowered seventh degree.
- Leading-tone: The leading-tone is the raised seventh degree (leading tone to the tonic) and strongly resolves to the tonic; this would be the seventh degree raised in harmonic or melodic minor contexts.

Given that the provided correct answer is submediant, the note in question must occupy scale-degree 6 of the minor scale (the VI degree). Therefore, the function described by the note corresponds to the submediant.

Why the other options are incorrect in this context:
- If the note were the first degree, it would be tonic, not submediant.
- If the note were the second degree, it would be supertonic, not submediant.
- If the note were the third degree, it would be mediant, not submediant.
- If the note were the fourth degree, it would be subdominant, not submediant.
- If the note were the fifth degree, it would be dominant, not submediant.
- If the note were the seventh degree (without alteration), it would be subtonic in natural minor; if raised, it would be leading-tone, not submediant.

In summary, the given note aligns with scale-degree 6 of the minor scale, fulfilling the submediant function.

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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