Scale Degree Names

Each degree of the diatonic scale has a name that relates to its function.  Both the Major and all three forms of the minor share these terms.

1st – Tonic/Root – Tonal Center, the final resolution tone

2nd – Supertonic – One step above the tonic

3rd – Mediant – Midway between tonic and dominant

4th -Subdominant – The lower dominant, the fifth tone down from the tonic and forth up from the tonic

5th – Dominant – Called that because of its importance next to the tonic.

6th – Submediant – Lower mediant halfway between tonic and lower dominant.

7th – Leading Tone- Melodically leads to tonic

Subtonic -  Referred to subtonic only in natural minor scale.

Intervals

You will often hear pitches in a scale referred to as their interval in relation to the root or tonic

Name…………………………. Number of Steps (Half)

Perfect Unison……………………………. 0

Minor 2nd (m2)  …………………………. 1

Major 2nd (M2)  …………………………. 2

Minor 3rd (m3)  …………………………. 3

Major 3rd (M3)   …………………………  4

Perfect 4th (P4)   ……………………….    5

Perfect 5th (p5)   ……………………….   7

Minor 6th (m6)    ……………………….   8

Major 6th (M6)   ………………………..   9

Minor 7th (m7)  ……………………….. 10

Major 7th (M7)  ………………………… 11

Perfect Octave   …………………………12