Scale Degrees

Scale Degree Numbers

Each note in the scale can be referred to by a number representing its position in the scale. The first note in the scale is called the 1st degree, the second note is the 2nd degree, etc.

To review scales see Major Scales.

Scale Degree Names

It is also common to call each scale degree by a unique name. The names used in ascending order are: Tonic, Supertonic, Mediant, Subdominant, Dominant, Submediant, and Leading Tone. The most important note in a scale is the Tonic. The next most important is the Dominant.

Notice how the names all relate to either the Tonic or Dominant:

1. The Supertonic is one note above the Tonic (super = above).
2. The Leading Tone is one note below the Tonic and leads up by half step to the Tonic.
3. The Mediant is half way between the Tonic and Dominant.
4. The Subdominant is one note below the Dominant and is also the same distance down the scale (sub) from the Tonic as the Dominant is above the Tonic.
5. The Submediant is halfway between the Subdominant and the Tonic above.
6. The Tonic, Submediant and Subdominant are a mirror going down of the Tonic, Mediant and Dominant going up.

Three Ways to Identify Scale Degrees

This chart shows three ways to identify the notes of a scale.

To review solfeg see Sight Singing.

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