Each note of a scale has a degree number, from 1 (the key note) up to 8. The 1st degree — the note the scale is named after — is called the tonic.
X:1
L:1/4
K:C clef=treble
"1"C "2"D "3"E "4"F | "5"G "6"A "7"B "8"c |
The tonic triad
A triad is three notes played together. The tonic triad is built on the key note using degrees 1, 3 and 5 of the scale.
- C major: C – E – G
- G major: G – B – D
- D major: D – F♯ – A
- F major: F – A – C
X:1
L:1/1
K:C clef=treble
[CEG] |
Remember
- The 1st degree is the tonic (the key note).
- The tonic triad = degrees 1, 3 and 5.
- C major tonic triad = C E G.