Violin for Beginners: The Importance of Note Names in Grades and Scales

In music theory, a pitch name refers to the position of a note in a musical scale, counting from the tonic as the first note. Each note in the scale is assigned a number, called its degree, and named accordingly.

These levels have specific functions within the scale, and knowing their names and meanings can help you analyze and compose music, allowing you to add musicality to your compositions when playing the violin. Each pitch level has an impact on the overall structure, melodic movement, harmony, and progression of the musical piece.

By understanding the names of tone levels and their functions, musicians can better understand and communicate different elements of music theory, such as chord progressions, melody, and harmony, providing a common language and framework for discussing music in theory and practice.

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Now, let’s take a look at the names of the pitch levels, their functions, and their importance!

Table of contents

1. How many pitch levels are there?
2. What are the names of the seven musical levels?
3. What is the eighth note level called?
4. The order of tone class names and their functions
5. How to remember the names of pitch levels?
6. You might also like…
Name of pitch level – Julia

How many pitch levels are there?

There are seven levels, corresponding to the seven notes in a mode or scale. Both the major scale and the minor scale have the same number of steps.

What are the names of the seven tone levels?

The first pitch level: tonic
Second tone level: superior dominant
The third level: alto
Fourth tone level: subtonic
The fifth tone level: dominant tone
Sixth level: tenor
The seventh tone level: leading tone or leading tone
In the example of the C major scale, take a closer look at the scales and their names.

Grades and their names – example using the C major scale

Do you want to master playing the C major scale on the violin? Then be sure to read my article: C Major Violin Scale: Notes, Fingerings and Pictures

What is the eighth note level called?

The eighth step of the scale is the tonic, but one octave apart in pitch.

You can feel the rise from the seventh step of the scale to its resolution, which is why we call the seventh step of the scale the leading tone.

When you reach the eighth level, you can start counting again from the beginning.

The order of tone class names and their functions

By understanding the information above, we can further understand the importance of each tone level and its function in building a scale.

Vocalist
The first pitch level is called the tonic. It is the most important note in the scale, telling us what key it is in, and is therefore also called the tonic of the scale. It serves as a reference point, providing stability and resolution.

Furthermore, if you know what the key signature of a piece of music is, you know directly that it is the tonic. For example, the key signature of the A major scale has three sharps, starting with the A note, which is the tonic of the scale.

If you want to become more familiar with the different key signatures, be sure to download your Circle of Fifths:

欢迎选购艺匠琴坊的弦乐器，您可以点击此链接与我们建立联系！

Violin Key Signature – Circle of Fifths Printable Version

superior tone
The name of the second level comes from the Latin word "super," meaning "above." This particular name, "superior dominant," means above the tonic. The superior dominant is always one whole step higher than the first note.

Alto
As the third pitch level, the alto is located between the tonic and dominant. It advances the music from the tonic to other notes in the scale.

The alto gets its name from the fact that it is the middle note of a triad, which we form when we play the first, third, and fifth notes of the scale together. These three notes are very special because they form an arpeggio that sounds great when played together or one after the other!

secondary tonic
The fourth note level often creates a feeling of tension or anticipation.

The prefix "sub" means below, so the subtonic is the note below the dominant and is a perfect fifth away from the tonic above. A perfect fifth is exactly seven semitones spanning two notes.

Therefore, when we look at more than one octave, the subtonic is the "low dominant".

Scale levels and their names – perfect fifth

dominant sound
The fifth degree occupies a strong and stable position in the sequence of the scale, often leading back to the tonic, forming a perfect fifth from the first degree. This is the most commonly used interval in Western music, producing harmonious tension and harmony. solve.

tenor
The sixth degree, tenor, is often used as a transition note between the dominant and tonic. It is located between the subtonic and the tonic.

Similar to the subtonic, when we look at multiple octaves of a scale, it's the "low alto". Both the tenor and the alto are separated from the tonic by a major third.

Name of the musical scale – Major 3rd

leading tone or leading tone
The seventh step of the musical scale is

Leading tone or leading tone. In the major scale, it is a semitone lower than the tonic, and usually tends to resolve to the tonic in preparation for the tonic.

The seventh degree in the natural minor scale: subtonic

In the case of the natural minor scale, as well as in the descending melodic minor scale, the penultimate note is a whole step lower than the tonic, so it has a different name: subtonic.

In the minor scale, all other steps have the same name.

Don’t know any minor scales? Start by learning the A minor scale!

How to remember the name of a pitch level?

A good way to remember the pitch levels is to divide them into smaller groups, understand their meaning, and practice them regularly. This may seem challenging at first, but there are some tips that can help make it easier.

memorize them in groups

Rather than trying to memorize all the note levels at once, break them into smaller groups.

For example, you could start by memorizing the first three pitch levels: tonic, superior dominant, and alto, and then move on to the next three pitch levels. This method helps you focus on smaller sets of information at a time, making it easier to remember.

Understand the meaning of each name

Each scale name has a purpose and function in music theory, and knowing their definitions can help you remember them.

For example, the dominant (fifth degree) has a strong "pull" effect on the tonic (first degree) because of its interval relationship with the tonic. This relationship creates harmonious tension and resolution and is the basis for creating enjoyable music.

practice regularly

The more you practice and use the information, the easier it will become to remember it.

Try playing a scale and saying the names of the steps out loud. You can also practice identifying different pitch levels in musical pieces.