Which scale degree is often referred to as the root or tonic?

Which scale degree is often referred to as the root or tonic?

• A. The second degree
• B. The first degree
• C. The seventh degree
• D. The fifth degree

Answer: (B)

In tonal music, the first degree of the scale is the tonic, the note that acts as the tonal center and home base for the key. It’s called the root because the tonic triad is built on this degree, and melodies and harmonies gravitate toward it, giving a sense of rest and resolution. The other degrees have distinct roles—second degree is the supertonic, seventh degree is the leading tone, and fifth degree is the dominant—yet none function as the central resting point like the first degree. So the scale degree referred to as the root or tonic is the first scale degree.

In tonal music, the first degree of the scale is the tonic, the note that acts as the tonal center and home base for the key. It’s called the root because the tonic triad is built on this degree, and melodies and harmonies gravitate toward it, giving a sense of rest and resolution. The other degrees have distinct roles—second degree is the supertonic, seventh degree is the leading tone, and fifth degree is the dominant—yet none function as the central resting point like the first degree. So the scale degree referred to as the root or tonic is the first scale degree.