What Is A Scale Degree?
Each note of the scale, or scale degree, has a conventional name. The most
important scale degree is the tonic, the second most important is the dominant.
The names of the other scale degrees reflect their relationship to the tonic or
dominant.
Scale Degrees
|
Name
|
Step of Scale
|
Tonic
|
1st
|
Supertonic
|
2nd
|
Mediant
|
3rd
|
Subdominant
|
4th
|
Dominant
|
5th
|
Submediant
|
6th
|
Subtonic
|
7th
|
Leading Note
|
8th
|
Tonic
The tonic is the first (or eighth) note of the scale, and is often described as
the note that feels most "at rest."
Supertonic
The supertonic is the second note of the scale. The prefix "super" (above)
indicates the note above the tonic.
Mediant
The mediant is the third note of the scale. The term mediant (median or middle)
indicates the note midway between the tonic and dominant.
Subdominant
The subdominant is the fourth note of the scale. The prefix "sub" (below)
indicates the dominant (fifth) below the tonic.
Dominant
The dominant is the fifth note of the scale. Its name reflects its importance.
Submediant
The submediant is the sixth note of the scale. The term submediant (below -
median, middle) indicates the note midway between the tonic and subdominant.
Subtonic
The subtonic is the seventh note of the natural minor Scale. The subtonic is a
whole step lower than the tonic. The prefix "sub" (below) indicates the note
below the tonic.
Leading Tone
The leading tone is the seventh note of the major, harmonic, and melodic minor
scales. The leading tone is a half step lower than the tonic. Its name
indicates that it is used melodically to lead into the tonic.