Mediant

Definition

The mediant is a musical term that refers to the third degree of a scale, positioned between the tonic and the dominant. In the context of harmony, it is often seen in triadic structures as the third note of a chord that can create connections between primary and secondary triads, thus enriching harmonic progressions. Understanding the role of the mediant is essential when discussing modulation and tonal relationships within music.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In a major scale, the mediant corresponds to the mediant triad, which is built on the third scale degree and typically has a major quality.
2. The mediant can often be used to create smooth transitions between keys during modulation, facilitating a move from one tonal area to another.
3. Secondary triads are often built on the mediant, allowing composers to expand harmonic language and create more complex musical textures.
4. In harmonic progressions, moving to or from the mediant creates a unique color and emotional quality that distinguishes it from primary chords.
5. Understanding the function of the mediant is crucial for analyzing how composers develop themes and motifs throughout their works.

Review Questions

• How does the mediant relate to both primary and secondary triads within harmonic progressions?
  • The mediant serves as a bridge between primary and secondary triads by providing an additional layer of harmonic richness. It can be found in both major and minor key contexts and allows composers to create interesting shifts in harmony. When transitioning from primary chords to secondary ones, utilizing the mediant facilitates smoother modulations and enhances the overall harmonic landscape.
• Discuss how understanding the mediant can improve your ability to analyze diatonic modulation in musical pieces.
  • Understanding the mediant is essential for analyzing diatonic modulation because it highlights how composers navigate between keys. The mediant can serve as a pivot point, enabling transitions that feel natural and cohesive. By recognizing where mediants are utilized, you can better appreciate how composers develop their ideas through tonal shifts, creating emotional depth and complexity.
• Evaluate the impact of using mediants on thematic development in compositions, particularly regarding emotional expression.
  • The use of mediants in compositions significantly enhances thematic development by providing opportunities for emotional expression through harmonic contrast. When composers incorporate mediants into their works, they not only expand their harmonic vocabulary but also introduce new colors that affect how themes evolve. This approach allows for varied emotional landscapes, as themes may shift from stability in tonic areas to tension when exploring mediants, ultimately contributing to richer storytelling within music.

Related terms

Tonic:

The tonic is the first note of a scale, serving as the home base or tonal center around which a piece of music is organized.

Dominant: The dominant is the fifth degree of a scale and plays a crucial role in establishing tension that resolves back to the tonic.

Submediant:

The submediant is the sixth degree of a scale, often functioning as a point of departure or arrival in chord progressions and can also be used in modulation.