Scale degrees

Position of a note in a scale is called a scale degree. The next figure shows the scale degrees in the C major scale. Scale degree is usually annotated as a number with a small arch over it. 

Figure: The scale degrees of the C major scale

The three most important scale degrees are: the tonic (the first scale degree), the dominant (the fifth scale degree) and the subdominant (the fourth scale degree). For instance, the C major scale has the note name C as the tonic, G as the dominant and F as the subdominant. The next table shows the names that are commonly used for the scale degrees. Please note that the leading-tone and the subtonic are not synonyms. The difference between them will be explained soon, in chapters Major scales and Natural minor scales.