submediant

[ suhb-mee-dee-uhnt ]

noun

, Music.

1. the sixth tone of a diatonic scale, being midway between the subdominant and the upper tonic.

submediant

/ sʌbˈmiːdɪənt /

noun

1. the sixth degree of a major or minor scale
2. a key or chord based on this

adjective

1. of or relating to the submediant

Word History and Origins

Origin of submediant¹

First recorded in 1800–10; sub- + mediant

Example Sentences

In the opening Allegro the second subject occurs, by way of exception, in the major key of the submediant.

From Project Gutenberg

The second (in B flat) is in the submediant, the last in the tonic major.

From Project Gutenberg

The second subject is propounded by the oboes (in the rather unusual related key of the submediant).

From Project Gutenberg

To be sure, Beethoven did invent the change to a lowered submediant in a succeeding movement.

From Project Gutenberg