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Scale Degree Theory

Understand chords by their function

Learn the 7 degrees of the major scale and how chords relate: tonic, subdominant, dominant, and the most important progressions.

Intermediate 0%

The Tonic Family

Mod. 1 0%

  1. ○ Degree I — Maj7 (Tonic) Home — rest and resolution
  2. ○ Degree vi — m7 (Tonic Sub) The minor version of the tonic
  3. ○ Degree iii — m7 (Mediant) Between tonic and dominant

The Subdominant

Mod. 2 0%

  1. ○ Degree IV — Maj7 (Subdominant) Movement away from the tonic
  2. ○ Degree ii — m7 (Subdominant Sub) The most important minor chord in jazz

The Dominant

Mod. 3 0%

  1. ○ Degree V — Dom7 (Dominant) Tension — wants to return to the tonic
  2. ○ Degree vii° — m7♭5 (Dominant Sub) Half-diminished — rare but important

Progressions

Mod. 4 0%

  1. ○ The ii-V-I Progression The heartbeat of jazz
  2. ○ The Turnaround (I-vi-ii-V) Back to the beginning