Degree (music)

In music theory a scale degree is the name of a particular note of a scale in relation to the tonic, indicating its diatonic function. Scale degrees may be identified several ways:

• First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh
• Roman numerals, especially when identifying a chord whose root is that scale degree
• Arabic numerals, sometimes with carets above them
• The names tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, (subtonic or leading tone). Subtonic is used when the interval between it and the tonic in the upper octave is a whole step; leading tone when that interval is a half step.

For instance, the chord built upon the fifth scale degree, or dominant, will also be called the five (V) or dominant chord.