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, starting on A), the subtonic is the note G (in C major this would be Bâ™); and the subtonic chord uses the notes G, B, and D (in C: Bâ™-D-F). In music theory, the subtonic chord is symbolized with the Roman numeral â™VII for a major triad built on the note, or â™vii for a minor triad; in a minor key, the flat symbol is sometimes omitted because the subtonic note appears in the natural minor scale.