All Flashcards
Define 'parallel key'.
Major and minor key that share the same tonic.
What is a 'natural minor scale'?
Minor scale with flattened 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees compared to the parallel major.
What is a 'harmonic minor scale'?
Natural minor scale with a raised (sharped) 7th scale degree.
What is a 'melodic minor scale'?
Minor scale with raised 6th and 7th ascending, and reverts to natural minor descending.
Define 'relative minor'.
A minor key that shares the same key signature as a major key; it starts on the 6th degree of the major scale.
Define 'Tonic'.
The 1st degree of a scale, the starting pitch and point of resolution.
Define 'Supertonic'.
The 2nd degree of a scale, a major second above the tonic. A point of tension.
Define 'Mediant'.
The 3rd degree of a scale, a minor third above the tonic. Transitional.
Define 'Subdominant'.
The 4th degree of a scale, a perfect fourth above the tonic. Provides stability.
Define 'Dominant'.
The 5th degree of a scale, a perfect fifth above the tonic. Creates major tension.
Define 'Submediant'.
The 6th degree of a scale, a minor sixth above the tonic. Transitional.
Define 'Leading Tone'.
The 7th degree of a scale, a major seventh above the tonic. Strong pull to tonic.
Why is the 7th scale degree raised in the harmonic minor scale?
To create a strong leading tone, which creates a half-step resolution to the tonic.
What is the function of the raised 7th in a minor key?
To create a major V chord for a strong V-i resolution.
Why is the 7th scale degree raised in harmonic minor?
To create a strong leading tone and a V-i resolution.
What is the function of the raised 7th in harmonic minor?
Creates a stronger pull to the tonic.
What is the function of the submediant in minor?
Transitional.
What is the function of the mediant in minor?
Transitional.