Mediant

Definition

The mediant is the third scale degree in a diatonic scale, positioned between the tonic and dominant degrees. It plays a crucial role in establishing the harmonic context and contributes to the emotional quality of music. The mediant is significant because it helps to create various harmonic functions and serves as a key connection between the tonic and other scale degrees.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The mediant can be identified by its interval of a major or minor third above the tonic, depending on whether it’s a major or minor scale.
2. In a major scale, the mediant is typically a major third above the tonic, while in a natural minor scale, it is a minor third above the tonic.
3. The mediant's relationship with the tonic can create a sense of warmth or sweetness in musical compositions.
4. It often acts as a pivot point for modulations, allowing composers to shift keys smoothly by moving from the tonic to the mediant.
5. The mediant is important for understanding chord progressions, often appearing in chords that enrich the harmonic palette of a piece.

Review Questions

• How does the mediant function within a scale, and what role does it play in establishing musical harmony?
  • The mediant serves as the third scale degree within both major and minor scales, providing essential harmonic connections between the tonic and other degrees. Its position allows it to create emotional qualities in music, often contributing to feelings of warmth or tension when used alongside the tonic and dominant. The mediant helps establish musical harmony by connecting chords and facilitating smooth transitions in progressions.
• Compare and contrast the role of the mediant in major and minor scales regarding its emotional impact.
  • In major scales, the mediant is a major third above the tonic, contributing to a bright and uplifting emotional quality. In contrast, in natural minor scales, it functions as a minor third above the tonic, often imparting a more somber or introspective feel. This difference highlights how the mediant’s identity influences overall mood in musical compositions, making it a versatile tool for composers.
• Evaluate how understanding the mediant enhances your interpretation of chord progressions in various musical genres.
  • Understanding the mediant allows for deeper insight into chord progressions across different musical styles. By recognizing its role as a connective point between tonic and dominant chords, musicians can appreciate how composers utilize this degree to create tension, resolve harmonic movement, or facilitate modulation. This knowledge not only enriches performance interpretations but also aids in composing original works that effectively use harmonic relationships.

Related terms

Tonic: The first scale degree and the central note of a scale, serving as the home base or point of rest in music.

Dominant:

The fifth scale degree that creates tension and drives the music towards resolution back to the tonic.

Submediant:

The sixth scale degree, which is a step below the dominant and provides additional harmonic richness.