Degree (music)
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In music theory, a scale degree is the name of a particular note of a scale in relation to the tonic, indicating its diatonic function. Scale degrees may be identified several ways:
- First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh
- Roman numerals, especially when identifying a triad whose root is that scale degree (see Chord symbol)
- Arabic numerals (1,2,3...), sometimes with carets above them (<math>\hat 1, \hat 2, \hat 3...<math>)
- The names tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, (subtonic or leading tone). Subtonic is used when the interval between it and the tonic in the upper octave is a whole step; leading tone when that interval is a half step.
For instance, the chord built upon the fifth scale degree, or dominant, will also be called the five (V) or dominant chord.