The term "Tonic" is associated with which note in a scale?

The term "Tonic" refers specifically to the first note of a scale. In music theory, the tonic is the foundational note upon which a scale is built; it serves as the home base or resolution point for melodies and harmonies. When a piece of music is in a particular key, the tonality and the other notes in that key relate back to the tonic, creating a sense of stability and resolution.

In Western music, the tonic establishes the key, which provides context for the other notes, including the dominant (fifth note) and the subdominant (fourth note). The tonic note is essential in identifying the character of the scale and influences the overall harmonic structure of the composition. Thus, recognizing that the tonic is the first note of the scale is crucial for understanding fundamental concepts in music theory.