MUSIC THEORY

Mod 6

• Subject of the Day: Scale Degrees; Perfect Intervals
• Reading Assignment: Kostka, Tonal Harmony; pp.
• Written Assignment: Intervals I (Handout)
• Semester Schedule

1st degree = Tonic
2nd degree = Supertonic
3rd degree = Mediant
4th degree = Subdominant
5th degree = Dominant
6th degree = Submediant
7th degree = Leading Tone

Minor Scale - similar to major with the following exceptions:

The raised 6th degree is called the Raised Submediant
The natural 7th degree is called the Subtonic
The raised 7th degree is called the Leading Tone

Intervals:

There are two basic groups of intervals - Perfect and Imperfect

Perfect Intervals:

The first group (Perfect) includes unisons, fourths, fifths, and octaves
Intervals in this group may be perfect (P), augmented(+), or diminished (o)
A perfect interval (1, 4, 5, or 8) made larger becomes an augmented interval. A perfect interval made smaller becomes a diminished interval. A diminished interval made larger becomes perfect; an augmented interval made smaller becomes perfect. (o < P < +)
 
 

All same note unisons and octaves are called perfect unisons and perfect octaves, respectively; e.g. Bb to Bb, or D to D.

Perfect 4th has 5 half steps. All 4ths on a basic staff are P4 except for F up to B, which is an +4.

Click on the example to hear it

Perfect 5th has 7 half steps. All 5ths on a basic staff are P5 except for B up to F, which is a ^o5.

If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu