Lecture Notes: Musical Scales and Degrees

Introduction to Scales

• A scale is an alphabetical arrangement of eight notes, starting and ending with the same note (e.g., C to C or D to D).
• Each note in a scale has a function or "degree" and can be given a technical name.

Degrees of a Scale

• First Degree: Tonic
  • Example: In a C to C scale, the tonic is C.
• Second Degree: Supertonic
• Third Degree: Mediant
• Fourth Degree: Subdominant
• Fifth Degree: Dominant
• Sixth Degree: Submediant
• Seventh Degree: Leading Note
• Eighth Degree: Octave or Tonic

Notes on Degrees

• Degrees are numbered in Roman numerals based on their function.
• Some degrees have more important functions than others.

Important Degrees in a Scale

Tonic (1st Degree)

• Most important note of any scale.
• Gives the name to the key and is both the lowest and highest tone of the scale.

Mediant (3rd Degree)

• Middle note between the tonic and dominant.
• Determines whether the scale is Major or Minor.

Dominant (5th Degree)

• Name derives from Latin "Dominus," meaning master.
• The chord built on the dominant is strong and "masters" the key.

Leading Note (7th Degree)

• Necessary to identify the key.
• Always a semitone below the tonic and leads directly to it.
• Referred to as "subtonic" only when one tone apart from the tonic.

Secondary Importance of Other Degrees

• Names of other degrees are based on their placement in the scale.
• Secondary to the primary degrees (Tonic, Mediant, Dominant, Leading Note).

These notes cover the essential aspects of musical scales and their degree functions, highlighting the primary degrees and their roles within a scale.