Scale Degrees
  • Each note of a scale has a special name, called a scale degree.
  • The first (and last) note is called the tonic.
  • The fifth note is called the dominant.
  • The fourth note is called the subdominant.
  • Notice that the subdominant is the same distance below the tonic as the dominant is above it (a generic fifth).
  • The prefix sub is Latin for “under” or “beneath”.
  • The third note is called the mediant since it is in the middle of the tonic and dominant.
  • Likewise, the sixth note is called the submediant since it is in the middle of the upper tonic and subdominant.
  • The second note is called the supertonic. Super is Latin for “above”.
  • While the scale degrees for the first six notes are the same for both major and minor scales, the seventh one is special.
  • If the seventh note is a half step below the tonic, it is called a leading tone.
  • Play the C Major Scale, notice how the seventh note wants to lead into the tonic.
  • Leading tones also occur in harmonic minor and melodic minor.
  • In natural minor, the seventh note is a whole step below the tonic. In this case, the note is called a subtonic.
  • Play the C Natural Minor scale, notice how the seventh tone lacks the desire to lead into the tonic.
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