Music keys in order
Learning how the names of scale degrees function allows us to understand the relationships between the different tones in a scale. Each tone of a scale has a number associated with it. But, the concept is relatively simple once you understand how it works. Scale degrees may seem like complex and confusing nonsense. This transferability expands our musicianship, allows us to understand the threads that unite melodies and chords on a deeper level, and allows us to communicate more precisely with other musicians. For example, using the A major scale degrees, the melody would now be C♯ – E – F♯ – D – B – A. This consistency allows us to make conclusions about scales as a whole.įor example, you can describe a melody in the key of C major as 3 – 5 – 6 – 4 – 2 – 1 and then use those scale degree names to transfer the melody to another key. The scale degrees of the C major scale are the same as the A major scale degrees. By understanding the names of scale degrees, we can identify patterns and resolutions and then transfer them to other scales. The names of scale degrees allow musicians to break scales and arpeggios down into constituent parts and analyze how the different elements work together. Here is the C major scale notated with solfege syllables instead of note names:Īfter all this music theory, you may be wondering why musicians use scale degrees at all. They are useful when dealing with the minor scale degrees. There are variations on the solfege scale to account for the flat and sharp notes of a scale, but we won’t cover them here as there are a few different approaches. The solfege scale is a useful way to remember the scale degrees and because they are directly tied to the voice, they help to root the sound of each scale degree physically in your throat and ears. The solfege scale is a syllabic system for note recognition. The subtonic is a second below the tonic, like the supertonic is a second above the tonic. This is true for these minor scale degrees. In scales with a lowered seventh degree, like the natural minor or the blues scale, the seventh scale degree is called the subtonic. The leading tone is a half-step lower than the tonic and has a natural gravity to resolve to the tonic. In the major scale, or any scale with a natural seventh scale degree like the melodic minor scale or the harmonic minor scale, the seventh scale degree is known as the leading tone. The sixth scale degree is a third (mediant) below the tonic, hence the name submediant, or lower mediant.
The term submediant shares the same source as the subdominant. The sixth scale degree is called the submediant. The resolution is also extremely common in pop and contemporary music genres. Most classical music is based on the resolution of the dominant to the tonic.
The fifth scale degree is generally considered the second most important scale degree. The fifth scale degree is known as the dominant. However, many scales included the supertonic, or second degree, so it is useful to understand.
Therefore, there is no supertonic in the minor pentatonic scale. For example, a scale like the minor pentatonic scale does not have a second degree. The supertonic is the second degree of the scale. In other words, it is the note that serves as the natural resolution point for all other notes in the scale, whether we are thinking in major scale degrees or minor scale degrees. The tonic note defines the name of the scale and also serves as the tonal center of gravity for the scale. Every scale has a tonic, whether it is the natural minor scale, the A major scale degrees, or the minor pentatonic scale degrees. The tonic is the first degree of the scale. The technical names of a scale degrees The tonic Now let’s dive a little deeper into each scale degree name. When the major scale degrees are added to the notation in treble clef, it looks like this: In the C major scale, the major scale degrees are as follows: Check it out this basic piano scale notated here in treble clef: The C major scale is spelled: C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C. The C major scale is often considered a blank slate to work with in piano music theory. The most basic way to understand scale degree names is to begin with one of the most fundamental scales in piano: the C major scale. The concept may sound complicated, but it is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. Scale degrees are a numerical method of describing scales. No credit card details required Start your piano journey now! What are scale degrees?Įvery scale can be understood in terms of its scale degree names.