The sound frequency doubles for corresponding notes from one octave to the next. Notably, an equal-tempered octave has twelve half steps (semitones) spaced equally in terms of the sound frequency ratio. Whole steps and half steps are explained mathematically in a related article, Twelfth root of two. Where 'whole' stands for a whole tone (a red u-shaped curve in the figure), and 'half' stands for a semitone (a red angled line in the figure).

Whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half The sequence of intervals between the notes of a major scale is:

The intervals from the tonic (keynote) in an upward direction to the second, to the third, to the sixth, and to the seventh scale degrees of a major scale are called major. Structure The pattern of whole and half steps characteristic of a major scale In Hindustani classical music, it is known as Bilaval. In Carnatic music, it is known as Sankarabharanam. The major scale has a central importance in Western music, particularly that of the common practice period and in popular music. If it is a WHOLE STEP below the tonic, it is still considered the SUB TONIC but not a LEADING TONE.Audio playback is not supported in your browser.

It is only considered the LEADING TONE when it is a HALF STEP below the tonic. It often precedes tonic in a chord progression.Ħ) SUB MEDIANT- Scale degree 6 is the same distance below the tonic as the mediant, scale degree 3, is above the tonic.ħ) SUB TONIC or LEADING TONE- The note below (and that often precedes) the tonic, in a chord progression. This note is second most important note only to the tonic. This is the middle, or 'third', of a triad.Ĥ) SUB DOMINANT- Scale degree 4 is the note immediately below the dominant.ĥ) DOMINANT- Scale degree 5 is roughly at the center of the scale. The C note is the tonic of the C scale.Ģ) SUPER TONIC- Scale degree 2 is the note above the tonic.ģ) MEDIANT- Scale degree 3 is the midpoint between the tonic, scale degree 1, and the dominant, scale degree 5. This is the note for which the scale is named. 1) TONIC- Scale degree 1 is the root, or the foundation, of the scale.

G major scale sharps and flats