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The tonic is home
One more look at what you missed.
Listen to a tune you know.
It ends on C, the tonic of C major. Notice how finished it sounds.
No sound? Check your volume, and that your phone is not on silent.
The tonic feels like home.
A melody can wander anywhere, but landing on the tonic makes it sound finished.
Now stop one note early.
Ending on D, the tune hangs in the air. It wants one more note.
This tune is in C major. Does it end at home?
The tonic is degree 1, and it names the scale.
In C major, home is C. In G major, home is G.
Make up a short tune that ends on C.
Any white keys will do. Then end it on D, and hear the difference.
This tune is in G major. Does it end at home?
Every other note leaves the music open.
Songs use that pull: a phrase stops away from home, and the next one comes back.
Which note is home in F major?
You can hear where home is.
What you learned
- The tonic is home: a tune that lands there sounds finished.
- A tune that stops on another note hangs in the air.
- The tonic is degree 1, and it gives the scale its name.
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