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.
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.