7th scale degree

Question

7th scale degree

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: The prompt shows a short answer item labeled '7th scale degree' with an answer of 'a-natural' and no answer choices provided.

First, since there are no multiple-choice options, we cannot evaluate option-by-option as in a typical MCQ. Instead, we can reason about what the '7th scale degree' means in music theory and how the spelling 'a-natural' fits or does not fit.

Understanding the concept: In a diatonic scale, scale degrees are numbered 1 through 7. The 7th degree is the note a whole step below the octave (the tonic an octave higher). In a major scale, this 7th degree is called the leading tone and is typically raised in harmonic minor contexts. In a natural minor scale, the 7th degree is called the subtonic (and is not raised relative to the natural minor form).

Context matters: The actual pitch class that represents the 7th scale degree depends on the key signature. For example,
- In C major (or A minor natural), the 7th degree is B natural (not A natural).
- In G major (or E minor), the 7th degree is F# (not A natural).
- In D major (or B minor), the 7th degree is C# (not A natural).
So the specific note named as the 7th degree changes with the key.

Assessment of the given answer 'a-natural':
- If the key were A major or A minor, the 7th degree would be G# (in A major) or G natural (in A natural minor), not A natural. Thus 'A natural' would not commonly be the 7th degree in those keys.
- If the key were something like C major with an accidental context where one might spell the leading tone as A natural to serve a specific harmonic function, that would be unusual and context-dependent; standard theory does not designate A natural as the 7th degree of C major or its relative minors.
- In short, without a specified key, identifying 'A natural' as the 7th scale degree generally does not align with the conventional definition of the 7th degree in the common major/minor frameworks.

Potential sources of confusion or common misconceptions:
- Confusing the 7th degree with the 7th scale degree’s letter name across different keys.
- Assuming the 7th degree is fixed across all keys rather than key-dependent.
- Mixing natural minor and harmonic/melodic minor differences, where the raised 7th in harmonic/melodic minor changes the spelling of the pitch class that functions as the scale’s 7th degree.

In summary, the precise identification of the 7th scale degree relies on the key signature. Without a specified key, stating 'A natural' as the 7th degree is ambiguous or likely incorrect under standard major/minor classifications. If a key were provided, we could name the exact pitch that serves as scale degree 7 and explain the reasoning in that context.

Music 133 - Sections 98 & 99 Assignment 19: Harmonic Scales

7th scale degree

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