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The fourth scale degree and its chord (IV). Creates a softer, less urgent pull than the dominant.
The subdominant provides harmonic motion without the urgency of the dominant. IV–I (plagal cadence) sounds restful and hymn-like. IV is also the gateway to the dominant through the progression IV–V–I. Use the subdominant for moments of warmth and expansion.
Mozart, Piano Sonata in C major, K. 545, first movement: the recapitulation brings the opening theme back in F major, the subdominant, rather than in C — so the transition can lead the second theme home to the tonic by the same route it took to G.
Subdominant is one of 1760 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary: the words, abbreviations and instrument names that appear in printed scores, plus the vocabulary composers use to talk about them.
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