Preparing to Give Songs a Sense of Story
In the final sample last time, we showed that by using a certain device after repeating the royal road progression three times, the song can come to a pause and gain a sense of cadence.
From this time on, we'll take up, one by one, the knowledge needed to express this kind of "sense of story in a song" with chords.
Specifically, over several lessons, we'll focus on "how to use" the chords you can use at this stage (major diatonic chords as triads and four-note chords).
It will be even more effective if you continue to practice analyzing songs as you learn.
To avoid confusion, let's also review some of the terms that have appeared so far.
- Note names: Represent absolute pitch (the names of notes determined by frequency).
- Solfege syllables: Based on the movable-do concept, a way of naming notes in which the tonic of the scale is "do."
- Scale degrees: A method of numbering the notes of the major scale 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (8) so you can quickly arrive at other scales.
Let's review scale degrees again below.
Example) (Natural) minor scale
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 (8)
Since the C major scale is "C D E F G A B (C),"
lowering the 3rd, 6th and 7th notes by a half step gives the C (natural) minor scale (C D Eb F G Ab Bb (C)).
Using this procedure, as long as you remember the scale degrees of, say, the Arabic scale, "1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7," you can easily build the C Arabic scale.
C Db E F G Ab B (C)
Make sure you have a firm grasp of everything up to this point.
Scale Degree Names and Their Roles
From here, we'll look at relative note names (scale degree names).
It may seem complicated, but there aren't that many important points to grasp.
What you've learned so far will really come into play, so let's keep at it!
First, while looking at the circle of fifths, picture each major key and its scale.
Next, let's focus on the note "C" in each key.
In the C major scale, "C" is in the first position from the left.
In the G major scale, it is fourth.
In the F major scale, it is fifth.
As these differences in position show, even the same "C" plays a different role depending on the key.
To make those roles clear, relative note names (scale degree names) are needed.
Let's check each role using the C major scale as an example.
- "I" Tonic
The first note of the scale; in movable do, it is "do" in a major key.
It is said to be the most stable note in the scale, and in tonal music there is a pull to arrive at or return to this note.
- "II" Supertonic
As "super" suggests, it refers to the note above the tonic.
- "III" Mediant
It means the note located midway between the tonic and the dominant.
- "IV" Subdominant
The note a P5th below the tonic. Thinking upward, it is the note a P4th above.
- "V" Dominant
The note a P5th above the tonic. Thinking downward, it is a P4th.
Together with the leading tone below, it is considered to hold an important position relative to the tonic.
- "VI" Submediant
It means the note located midway between the tonic and the subdominant.
- "VII" Leading Tone
The name comes from the fact that it leads to the tonic a half step above.
As you can see from the above, the note "C" is the tonic in the key of C, the dominant in the key of F, and the subdominant in the key of G.
Next time, we'll develop this further into the roles of chords.
Get used to linking notes to scale degrees right away, as in "In this key, it's the nth note, so..."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the differences between note names, solfege syllables and scale degrees?
Note names represent absolute pitch determined by frequency (such as C or E). Solfege syllables are a way of naming notes based on the movable-do concept, with the tonic of the scale as "do." Scale degrees are expressed as numbers (1-7) and let you quickly adapt to different scales.
Q2. What are the benefits of learning scale degree names?
You can understand that the same note plays different roles in different keys, and what function that note has becomes clear. This helps you understand the reasons for choosing chord progressions and enables more effective songwriting.
Q3. Please explain the difference between the tonic and the dominant.
The tonic (I) is the 1st note of the scale and the most stable note. The dominant (V) is the 5th note, a perfect 5th above the tonic; it has a pull to return to the tonic and creates tension.
Q4. What is the role of the leading tone?
The leading tone (VII) is the note that leads to the tonic a half step above. It has a strong pull toward the tonic, plays an important role in chord progressions and creates a sense of cadence in songs.
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