For some time I have used the term "pre-dominant" (I think the hyphen
is helpful) for a number of harmonies that can precede the dominant -
N6, A6, V/V, vi, ii, Vo7/V, bVII, etc. (including the addition of
7ths). The term "subdominant" really should be restricted to the
harmony built on the 4th scale degree. "Subdominant function" seems
messy to me since an authentic cadence does not require a IV or IV
substitute.
Hal Owen
On 30 Jun 2005 at 10:30, Christopher Smith wrote:
On Jun 30, 2005, at 9:31 AM, dr.a.s. weinstangel wrote:
> "...Subdominant (used to mean the 4th of the scale, or the chord
> built on it. Now means ANY chord that can lead to a dominant (though
> it doesn't invariably have to)...etc." From: Christopher Smith
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> I was under the impression that Subdominant was a chord at the same
> distance from below the Tonic as the Dominant was above the Tonic,
> i.e.
>
> SD----(perfect fifth)---> T <-----(perfect fifth)-----D
>
> Was I tought erroneously?
No, of course you weren't taught erroneously. It's just sometimes
people say "subdominant" when they mean "subdominant function" or
"subdominant area". We need a better term, because the old one has
changed meaning on us.
Well, I don't think that usage is an accepted usage, or acceptable.
Again, maybe you've heard people use it, but *I* haven't, and I don't
think it reflects careful thought about the meaning of the terms.
Once more, I'll ruffle feathers and say that anyone who uses the bare
term "subdominant" to refer to any non-IV/iv chord is mistaken in
that usage, especially given that the terms "predominant" and
"subdominant function" are available and very, very widely used to
describe what they are attempting to express by using the mere term
"subdominant."
--
David W. Fenton http://www.bway.net/~dfenton
David Fenton Associates http://www.bway.net/~dfassoc
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Harold Owen
2830 Emerald St., Eugene, OR 97403
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