<P> In music theory, scale degree refers to the position of a particular note on a scale relative to the tonic, the first and main note of the scale from which each octave is assumed to begin . Degrees are useful for indicating the size of intervals and chords, and whether they are major or minor . </P> <P> In the most general sense, the scale degree merely is the number given to each step of the scale, usually starting with 1 = tonic . Defining it like this implies that a tonic is specified . For instance the 7 - tone diatonic scale may become the major scale once the proper degree has been chosen as tonic (e.g. the C - major scale C--D--E--F--G--A--B, in which C is the tonic). If the scale has no tonic, the starting degree must be chosen arbitrarily . In set theory, for instance, the 12 degrees of the chromatic scale usually are numbered starting from C = 0, the twelve pitch classes being numbered from 0 to 11 . </P>

What is the name given to the first scale degree