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Scale degree Roman numerals.^[1]Play (help·info)

Scale degree names, (see table below).^[2] (C major scale) Play (help·info)).

In music theory, scale degree refers to the position of a particular note on a scale^[3] relative to the tonic, the first and main note of the scale from which each octave is assumed to begin. Degrees are useful for indicating the size of intervals and chords, and whether they are major or minor.

In the most general sense, the scale degree merely is the number given to each step of the scale, usually starting with I=tonic (or 1=tonic). Defining it like this implies that a tonic is specified. For instance the 7-tone diatonic scale may become the major scale once the proper degree has been chosen as tonic (e.g. the C-major scale C–D–E–F–G–A–B, in which C is the tonic). If the scale has no tonic, the starting degree must be chosen arbitrarily. In set theory, for instance, the 12 degrees of the chromatic scale usually are numbered starting from C=0, the twelve pitch classes being numbered from 0 to 11.

In a more specific sense, scale degrees are given names that indicate their particular function within the scale, (see table below). This definition implies a functional scale, as is the case in tonal music.

The expression scale step is sometimes used synonymously with scale degree, but it may alternatively refer to the distance between two successive and adjacent scale degrees (see Steps and skips). The terms "whole step" and "half step" are commonly used as interval names (though "whole scale step" or "half scale step" are not used). The number of scale degrees and the distance between them together define the scale they are in.

In Schenkerian analysis, "scale degree" (or "scale step") translates Schenker's German Stufe, denoting "a chord having gained structural significance" (see Schenkerian analysis: Harmony).

Major and minor scales

The degrees of the traditional major and minor scales may be identified several ways:

• the first, second, (major or minor) third, fourth, fifth, major or minor sixth, and major or minor seventh degrees of the scale;


• by Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4 ...), sometimes with circumflexes (1^,2^,3^...{displaystyle {hat {1}},{hat {2}},{hat {3}}...});


• by Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV ...);


• the diatonic mode which starts on the degree, and contains all the notes in the key


• in English, by the names and function: tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading note (leading tone in the United States) and tonic again.

These names are derived from a scheme where the tonic note is the 'centre.' Supertonic and subtonic are, respectively, one step above and one step below the tonic; mediant and submediant are each a third above and below the tonic, and dominant and subdominant are a fifth above and below the tonic.

Subtonic is used when the interval between it and the tonic in the upper octave is a whole step; leading note when that interval is a half-step.

• in English, by the "moveable Do" Solfege system, which allows a person to name each scale degree with a single syllable while singing.

Scale degree names

See also

• Factor (chord)


• Music education


• Tonality

Sources