A scale degree is a note’s numbered position within a scale. Count the tonic as degree 1, then continue upwards. In a seven-note major or minor scale, the octave repeats the tonic, so it is degree 1 again. It may be labelled 8 when showing the end of a one-octave scale.
The number describes a relationship to the tonic. C is degree 1 in C major, but degree 4 in G major. It is not a guitar string or finger number.
The seven degree names
Compare the degree names and notes of C major and C natural minor, then read their staff notation below.
| Degree | Name | C major | C natural minor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | C |
| 2 | Supertonic | D | D |
| 3 | Mediant | E | E♭ |
| 4 | Subdominant | F | F |
| 5 | Dominant | G | G |
| 6 | Submediant | A | A♭ |
| 7 | Leading note/tone in major; subtonic in natural minor | B | B♭ |
| 1, an octave higher | Tonic again | C | C |
The dominant is the fifth note counting the tonic as 1: C, D, E, F, G. Reaching G takes four moves between scale notes. Scale-degree counting does not tell you a fixed number of semitones; that depends on the scale’s interval pattern.
In these scales, the third degree lies between the tonic and dominant, which explains the name mediant. The sixth degree is the submediant: it lies a third below the tonic above. Count down C, B, A in C major, or C, B♭, A♭ in C natural minor, including both end notes.
Leading note or subtonic?
In C major, B is a semitone below the next C. Its name is the leading note, also called the leading tone. The semitone from degree 7 to the tonic above occurs in every major scale.
In C natural minor, B♭ is a tone below the next C. This seventh degree is the subtonic. The natural-minor pattern always has this whole-tone gap.
Original scale-degree charts
The first six degree names remain tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant and submediant in both scales, even though degrees 3 and 6 have different pitches. A degree name identifies the note’s position in this tonal framework; it does not require one particular next note.
The seventh degree in minor
Harmonic minor raises degree 7 of natural minor by a semitone. In C minor, B♭ becomes B natural, giving a leading note one semitone below C.
| Form, ascending from C | Complete one-octave notes | Seventh degree |
|---|---|---|
| Natural minor | C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C | B♭, subtonic |
| Harmonic minor | C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B, C | B, leading note |
| Melodic minor, ascending | C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B, C | B, leading note |
In the usual classical melodic-minor exercise, descend as C, B♭, A♭, G, F, E♭, D, C. The descending seventh is therefore the subtonic B♭. The minor-scale lesson explains other practice conventions too; actual music can vary degrees 6 and 7 according to context.
Try the degree names in another key
In G major, G, A, B, C, D, E and F♯ are degrees 1 to 7. D is the dominant and F♯ the leading note, since F♯ to G is a semitone.
In A natural minor, A, B, C, D, E, F and G are degrees 1 to 7. E is the dominant and G the subtonic, since G to A is a tone.
Find degree 6 in each: E in G major, and F in A natural minor. Both are called submediant. Key signatures help you keep track of the regular sharps and flats when identifying these degrees.
To turn these single-note positions into chords, continue with chords in a major key and Roman numerals. It explains why degree 5 is one note while chord V is a triad, with C and G major examples you can play on guitar.
References: the Open University’s degree names and inclusive counting, Open Music Theory’s minor scale degrees and its original scales and scale-degrees explanation.