first degree of the scale; the key center
Tonic
Related Dictionary Terms
Tonic chord
Shared keywords
the chord based on the tonic of a key or scale
Tonic triad
Shared keywords
triad built on the first degree of the scale
Degree
Shared keywords
the position of a note in the scale, for example, D is the second degree in the scale of C
Key Center
Shared keywords
Theory
A key center organizes harmonic tension and release around a tonic. Identifying key center helps performers shape phrasing, c…
Minor Scale
Shared keywords
having the interval of a minor third between the first and third degrees of the scale See Table of Key Signatures See Table o…
Cadential 6-4
Shared keywords
Theory
In tonal harmony, cadential 6 4 often appears above scale degree 5 in the bass. It resolves into a dominant and then tonic, s…
Diatonic scale
Shared keywords
any scale of the major, natural minor, melodic minor or harmonic minor scales based on a particular key note
Key note
Shared keywords
the first note of the scale upon which a piece of music is based