Scale degrees

Every note in a scale has a number: 1 (the root) up to 7. Musicians think in these numbers constantly — "go to the 4", "the melody sits on the 3".

This level asks for a single degree: "the 4th note of A minor" (that is D). At first, walk the scale in your head to get there. With practice you will jump straight to it.

Two shortcuts: the 5th degree is always a perfect 5th up (7 semitones), and the 7th degree is always just below the octave.

Naming a degree works by letters, the way chords do: the degree number IS the letter count. The 4th of E major: E, F, G, A — it is an A. Then check the distance (a perfect 4th is 5 semitones, E up to A is 5), so a plain A is already right.

A minor with its degree numbers: the 4th note is D.

Practise this in the trainer — it opens with this lesson the first time the concept comes up.