A. Kori Hill
Ok, here’s a quick intro to the tools we use to analyze classical music:
First, we need to know the names of each scale degree. As you probably know, in classical music we deal with scales that have seven notes. In addition to their letter names, notes in a scale receive another name depending on their location within the scale itself. So, if you’re in A major, the note A is going to be the tonic, because it’s the start of the scale. But if you’re in D major, A is going to be the dominant, because it’s the fifth note in the scale.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here are the names for each note in a scale, what we call a scale degree.
The Tonic: This is the first note in a scale, which is represented with an upper-case Roman numeral (I) if you’re working with a major key or a lower-case Roman numeral (i) if you’re working with a minor key.
The Supertonic: This is the second note of the scale. This is represented with a lower-case Roman numeral (ii) in major keys.
The Mediant: This is the third note of the scale. This is represented as III in a major key.
The Subdominant: Is the fourth note of the scale and arguably the foundation for the third most important chord in the Western classical system. This is represented as IV in major keys.
The Dominant: The fifth scale degree, and the foundation for the second most important chord in the Western classical system after the tonic. This is represented as V in major keys.
The Submediant: The sixth scale degree, which is represented as iv in major keys.
The Leading Tone: The seventh scale degree, which serves as the leading tone to the tonic, is represented as vii°. This is also known as the Subtonic when it is a whole step below the tonic.
Octave: This is the term you use when you are eight notes above the note you started on.
But Dr. Kori, what about the Roman numerals for these chords in minor keys? Why does the subtonic Roman numeral have a degree symbol floating up there?? Aren’t there many different types of scales???
Yes, but it’s important to know these terms and memorize them! This is so that when we get into the different types of minor scales, the many ways major and minor scales are related to each other, you’ll have the terms and labels to help make that info make more sense.
Now, although you’ve just been introduced to these terms, let’s look at a composition where we can apply these terms: Irene Britton Smith’s Sonata for Violin and Piano (1947).
