What is a Subdominant?

A subdominant is the fourth note of a musical scale and the chord built on that note. In music theory, it plays an important role in creating movement within a chord progression. The subdominant often leads away from the tonic and prepares the music to move toward the dominant chord.

For example, in the key of C major, the fourth note of the scale is F. This means the F major chord functions as the subdominant chord in that key. In Roman numeral notation, the subdominant is written as the IV chord. A common chord progression might move from the tonic (I) to the subdominant (IV), then to the dominant (V), and finally back to the tonic.

The subdominant helps create a sense of harmonic progression and contrast within music. It adds variety and direction by moving the harmony away from the central tonic chord. Because of this role, the subdominant is a key part of many chord progressions used in classical, pop, rock, and other musical styles.