PPP172: Scale Degree Names
When students learn to play scales, they may associate them with the letters of that scale: CDEFGABC or DEF#GABC#D. Rather than limiting ourselves to a set of letters, pianists need to think in terms of location or functionality of the notes of the scale. They might do that by numbers, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. They might do that by using solfege, a series of syllables to help associate the sounds of the notes of the scale: do re mi fa sol la ti do. You may be familiar with "Do a deer, a female deer..." which Julie Andrews sang in the Sound of Music. As if that weren't enough, every note of the scale has its own name and that is the topic of our discussion…
