AP Music Theory

Chapter 2

Scales

• A collection of pitches in ascending and descending order

Pitch Class• A pitch class contains all of the notes of the

same name REGARDLESS of octave. • Note that the caret (⌃) above each number

indicates that the number represents a SCALE DEGREE.

Diatonic Scales

• Defines a scale of mixed half and whole steps (and an occasional step and a half) in which EACH INDIVIDUAL TONE PLAYS A ROLE.

• The first tone of the scale the the TONIC

The “Tonic”

• Focal point of the scale.• Most stable note.• Point of greatest relaxation.• Diatonic melodies frequently end on the TONIC.• Diatonic used to indicate a tone that is part of a

particular scale (or key signature). • Non-diatonic are tones that do not belong to

the scale.

Scale Degree Names

• http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/23

TONIC

• 1st scale degree• Tonal center – the final resolution tone.

SUPERTONIC

• 2nd scale degree• One step above the tonic

MEDIANT

• 3rd scale degree• Midway between the tonic and dominant.

SUBDOMINANT

• 4th scale degree• The lower dominant – the fifth tone down

from the tonic (also the fourth tone up from the tonic).

DOMINANT

• 5th scale degree• So called because its function is next in

importance to the tonic.

SUBMEDIANT

• 6th scale degree• The lower mediant – halfway between tonic

and lower-dominant (subdominant). The third tone down from the tonic (also the sixth tone up from the tonic).

LEADING TONE

• 7th scale degree.• Strong affinity for and leads melodically to the

tonic. Used when the seventh tone appears a HALF STEP below the tonic.

SUBTONIC

• 7th scale degree• Used only to designate the seventh degree of

the natural minor scale (a whole step below the tonic).

Natural Minor Scale

Harmonic Minor Scale

• Has a raised seventh degree. • Gives it more melodic thrust toward the tonic.

Melodic Minor Scale

• Ascending and Descending form. • Ascending: raised sixth and seventh degrees• Descending: lowered sixth and seventh

degrees.

Melodic Minor Scale

Homework

• Assignment 2.1 (in class) If you do not finish, consider this part of your homework.

• Due Wednesday: Workbook 2A. • Ear – Training

www.musictheory.net/exercises/ear-scale/xyybyycgspb.

• 20 minutes on these exercises. Shoot for 70% pass rate. Send me your screen shots.

Scale Relationships

• By products of the organizational theme of major and minor scales…

• Relative Relationship and the Parallel Relationship.