In addition to referring to the degrees of the major and minor scales by Roman numerals, the following names may also be used:

Degree Name
I Tonic
II Supertonic
III Mediant
IV Subdominant
V Dominant
VI Submediant or
Superdominant
VII Leading tone

The IV degree is called subdominant because it is a fifth below the tonic while the dominant is a fifth above the tonic:

The III degree is called mediant because it is midway between the tonic and the dominant. The VI degree is called submediant because it is midway between the tonic and the subdominant:




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José Rodríguez Alvira.