(MNS) Proper Note Names in Minor Lesson

Proper Note Names in Minor

As we learned in a previous module, each scale degree in a major scale has a specific name. As you see the proper note names above, we recall that scale degree:

 

1 is tonic

2 is supertonic

3 is mediant

4 is subdominant

5 is dominant

6 is submediant

7 is leading (with a half-step between 7-8)

8 is tonic again

Just about all of the proper note names are the same for the minor scale notes as they were for the major scale notes with a few exceptions. In a natural minor scale, where the interval between scale degrees 7-8 is a whole-step and not a half-step, the 7^th degree is called subtonic NOT leading tone as in the major scale where there was half-step between scale degrees 7-8. So a half-step between 7-8 is a called a leading tone and a whole-step between 7-8 is called a subtonic.

In a melodic minor scale (ascending), the 6^th scale degree is called raised submediant and the 7^th degree is called leading tone (as in the major scale) because there is now a half-step between scale degrees 7-8 with the raised 7^th.

The descending form of the melodic minor scale is actually the natural minor scale, so it would have the same proper names as the natural minor where the 7^th scale degree is now subtonic and the 6^th scale degree is now back to submediant.

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