MUSIC THEORY

Mod 24

• Subject of the Day:  Sixth and Seventh Scale Degrees
• Reading Assignment: None
• Written Assignment: 6th and 7th Scale Degrees (handout)
• Semester Schedule

1. (When the leading tone is approached from a step below, it usually goes to the tonic (6-7-8)
2. When the leading tone is approached from the tonic, it may go either up or down by step (8-7-6 or 8-7-8) or if it is in an inner voice, it may skip a third downward (8-7-5)
3. When the leading tone is in the soprano (especially at the cadence), it goes up to the tonic (7-8)
4. When the leading tone is the final note of an arpeggio, it returns to the tonic

Click on each measure separately to hear each example.

6th and 7th Scale Degrees in Minor

1. When a scale passage in a minor key ascends (5-6-7-8), the 6th and 7th are raised
2. When a scale passage in a minor key descends (8-7-6-5), the natural minor form is used
3. When the 7th scale degree is approached from the tonic and returns to the tonic, the raised 7th is used
4. When the 6th scale degree comes from the 5th and returns to the 5th degree, the natural minor form is used
5. When a descending line starts at the tonic but turns around before arriving at the 5th degree, the raised 6th and raised 7th are used
6. When an ascending line starts at the dominant but never arrives at the tonic, the natural minor form is used

Click on each measure separately to hear each example.

Click on each measure separately to hear each example.

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