What Are Scale Degrees?
Scale degrees are numbers (1-7) assigned to each note in a musical scale. Each degree has a specific name, function, and emotional character that determines how it sounds and behaves in music.
Understanding scale degrees helps you predict how melodies will sound, why certain chord progressions work, and how to create specific emotional effects in your music.
Major Scale Pattern
The major scale follows a specific pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H):
Example: C Major Scale
The Seven Scale Degrees
Tonic
Solfege: Do • Function: Home Base
The foundation of the key. Provides stability and resolution. Most songs begin and end here.
Examples:
- • Root chord of the key
- • Final note of melodies
- • Strongest sense of 'home'
Supertonic
Solfege: Re • Function: Stepping Stone
Creates gentle tension. Often moves to 1 or 3. Common in ii chords (minor) which lead to V.
Examples:
- • ii chord in progressions
- • Passing tone in melodies
- • Bridge between tonic and mediant
Mediant
Solfege: Mi • Function: Character Definer
Determines if the key feels major (bright) or minor (dark). The emotional heart of the scale.
Examples:
- • Major 3rd = happy sound
- • Minor 3rd = sad sound
- • Essential for chord quality
Subdominant
Solfege: Fa • Function: Departure
Creates a sense of moving away from home. Strong pull downward to 3. Foundation of IV chord.
Examples:
- • IV chord (F in C major)
- • Plagal cadence (IV-I)
- • Hymn progressions
Dominant
Solfege: Sol • Function: Tension Creator
Most important degree after tonic. Creates strong pull back to 1. Foundation of V chord.
Examples:
- • V chord dominance
- • Perfect cadence (V-I)
- • Blues turnarounds
Submediant
Solfege: La • Function: Relative Connection
Starting point of the relative minor. Creates smooth voice leading. Often used in deceptive cadences.
Examples:
- • vi chord (Am in C major)
- • Deceptive cadence (V-vi)
- • Relative minor key center
Leading Tone
Solfege: Ti • Function: Resolution Seeker
Creates strongest pull to tonic (only half-step away). Essential for V7 chords and resolution.
Examples:
- • Leading tone to tonic
- • V7 chord tension
- • Half-step resolution upward
Harmonic Functions
Scale degrees group into three main harmonic functions that create the flow of tension and resolution in music.
Tonic Function
Scale Degrees:
Common Chords:
Stability, rest, resolution
Feeling: Home, peaceful, resolved
Subdominant Function
Scale Degrees:
Common Chords:
Departure, movement away
Feeling: Journey, departure, preparation
Dominant Function
Scale Degrees:
Common Chords:
Tension, pull toward resolution
Feeling: Tension, anticipation, drive
Practical Applications
For Melody Writing
- • Start and end on 1 for stable melodies
- • Use 7 to 1 for strong resolutions
- • Emphasize 3 to highlight major/minor quality
- • Land on 5 for temporary rest points
- • Use 4 to create forward motion
For Chord Progressions
- • I chord (1-3-5) provides stability
- • V chord (5-7-2) creates tension
- • IV chord (4-6-1) offers departure
- • vi chord (6-1-3) provides alternative resolution
- • ii chord (2-4-6) prepares dominant
Important Relationships
Perfect Intervals
Major Intervals
Tendency Tones
Quick Reference
| Degree | Name | Solfege | Function | Common Chord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Do | Home Base | I (Major) |
| 2 | Supertonic | Re | Stepping Stone | ii (minor) |
| 3 | Mediant | Mi | Character Definer | iii (minor) |
| 4 | Subdominant | Fa | Departure | IV (Major) |
| 5 | Dominant | Sol | Tension Creator | V (Major) |
| 6 | Submediant | La | Relative Connection | vi (minor) |
| 7 | Leading Tone | Ti | Resolution Seeker | vii° (diminished) |