The submediant chord is built on the sixth scale degree of a major or minor key. In major keys, it is typically a minor chord, while in minor keys, it is usually a major chord.
Think of the submediant chord as the "underdog" of chords. It's not as commonly used or talked about as some other chords, but when it appears in a piece of music, it adds an unexpected twist to the harmony.
Scale Degree: Each note within a scale is assigned a number based on its position within that scale.
Major Chord: A triad consisting of a root note, major third above the root, and perfect fifth above the root.
Minor Chord: A triad consisting of a root note, minor third above the root, and perfect fifth above the root.
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.