Scale Degrees

A scale degree refers to a tone (note) within a scale using it’s number value. Similar to chord tones, we label scale degrees by imploring a regular numbering system. Numbering scale tones, are a more practical approach than using note names as scale degrees make it easier to apply to any key.

In Western music, typically a diatonic scale is constructed of 7 tones. Below is a table imploring scale degrees as well as the names given to these notes in music theory.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Tonic	Supertonic	Mediant	Sub Dominant	Dominant	Sub Mediant	Leading Note

Keys

Scale Degrees	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
C Major	C	D	E	F	G	A	B
G Major	G	A	B	C	D	E	F♯