Music theory definition
Tonic
The first note of a scale and the home base of a key.
Hear an example
Play the example and listen for the idea described above.
The important ones have names
- 1 · : home
- 5 · : pulls home
- 4 ·
- 7 · : leans up
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 4: The major scale. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Scale degrees
Numbers and names for each note of the scale - and hearing them in a melody.
Explore with an interactive tool
- Scale & mode explorer
Pick any root and scale to see and hear it. Compare two side by side - only the notes that change will move.
- Progression ear trainer
Recognise common progressions and cadences by ear.
Related music terms
- Major
- A common family of scales and chords. C major uses the white piano keys for its scale; its basic chord is C, E, and G. Compare its sound with minor.
- Scale
- A set of notes arranged in order of pitch, starting and ending on the same note name.
- Major scale
- The seven-note scale built from the step pattern W W H W W W H.
- Scale degree
- A note's position in a scale, numbered 1 to 7 from the tonic.
- Dominant
- Scale degree 5, and the chord built on it. It pulls strongly back to the tonic.
- Subdominant
- Scale degree 4, and the chord built on it.