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8
Scale-degree
names
Except for the seventh scale degree, the scale-degree names remain
the same for both the major and minor modes. In the natural minor
scale (and descending melodic minor scale), the seventh scale degree
is one whole step below tonic. This is called the subtonic.
In the ascending melodic minor and harmonic minor scales, the seventh
scale degree is 1/2 step below tonic and is called the leading
tone (the same as in the major scale where the seventh
scale degree is also 1/2 step below tonic).
|
Subtonic--whole
step below tonic
Leading
tone--half step below
tonic
|
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Following are the scale-degree names for the natural minor
scale.
| Scale-degree
name: |
| 1 |
tonic |
the central pitch that the other pitches
"gravitate" toward |
| 2 |
supertonic |
the note above ("super")
tonic; often moves down one step to tonic in melodies |
| 3 |
mediant |
the note midway between tonic and
the dominant above |
| 4 |
subdominant |
the note below ("sub") the
dominant; often moves up to the dominant |
| 5 |
dominant |
after tonic, the most important pitch
of a key; often moves directly to tonic |
| 6 |
submediant |
the note midway between tonic and
the subdominant below |
| 7 |
subtonic |
the note one whole step below tonic
(different from the leading tone, which is 1/2 step below
tonic) |
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