Question

In minor keys, the quality of the dominant triad is almost always ______.

1) major
2) minor
3) diminished
4) augmented

Answer 1

In minor keys, the dominant triad is almost always major, due to the raised leading tone that creates a strong resolution to the tonic.

Step-by-step explanation:

In minor keys, the quality of the dominant triad is almost always major. This is because the dominant triad (built on the fifth scale degree of the key) includes the leading tone, which is the seventh scale degree raised by a half step in minor keys to create a leading tone that resolves to the tonic. In a natural minor scale, this note would be a whole step below the tonic and the resulting triad would be minor. However, to create a stronger resolution, this note is raised to create a major triad, which includes a major third above the root of the triad.