Tonic
The first and most important note of a key, serving as the central point of rest and resolution.
Category
keys
Pronunciation
/ˈtɒnɪk/
Origin
Greek (tonikos, of tension)
Length
209 words · 2 min read
About Tonic
The tonic is the gravitational centre of tonal music — the note towards which all other notes in the key are pulled and around which the entire harmonic structure revolves. In the key of C major, the tonic is C; in G minor, it is G.
More keys terms
Leading note
View all keysterms →The seventh degree of a major or harmonic minor scale, a semitone below the tonic.
Circle of FifthsA diagram arranging all twelve major and minor keys by ascending perfect fifths, showing their key-signature relationships.
ModeA type of scale defined by a specific pattern of tones and semitones, historically derived from medieval church music.
Relative Major and MinorA pair of keys — one major, one minor — sharing the same key signature
TonicisationThe brief treatment of a non-tonic chord as a temporary tonic through the use of its own dominant or leading note.
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →