In music, the subtonic is the lowered seventh degree of the scale, as opposed to the leading tone. For example, in the A minor scale (white keys on a piano), the subtonic is the note G (in C this would be Bb); and the subtonic chord uses the notes G, B, and D (in C: BbDF). In music theory, the subtonic chord is symbolized with the Roman numeral bVII if major or bvii if minor. In music, a scale is an unordered collection of notes or pitches, as opposed to a series of intervals, which is a musical mode. ... In music theory, a leading-tone (called the leading-note outside the US) is a note or pitch which is resolves or leads to a note one semitone higher or lower, being an lower and upper leading-tone, respectively. ... A minor scale in musical theory can be viewed as the sixth mode of the major scale. ... In music and music theory, a chord (from the middle English cord, short for accord) is three or more different notes or pitches sounding simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, over a period of time. ... Music theory is the name for a branch of study that includes many different methods for analyzing, classifying, and composing music and the elements of music. ... The system of Roman numerals is a numeral system originating in ancient Rome, and was adapted from Etruscan numerals. ...

"Subtonic" also refers to a relationship of musical keys. For example, relative to the key of C major, the key of Bb major is the subtonic. Modulation (changes of key) to the subtonic are relatively rare, compared with, say, modulation into the dominant. In music, the dominant is the fifth degree of the scale. ...