Re: Question re degrees of the scale (and my intro to this group)

"Dylan" <DDawson72@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:19bebb90-3d16-47c7-8926-18ec74cf6248@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> I'm trying to learn a new instrument, without instruction. I want to
> be able to play improv.
(snip)
> Q: The degrees of the scale are described here as steps above/below
> the tonic, why does this conflict with my thinking that tonic is the
> first note of the scale? Isn't sub-dominant the middle note in the
> scale?
>

In addition to the excellent responses already posted, I'd point out that,

except for practicing patterns (which are designed primarily to improve
your 
chops), scales are unordered concepts which tell you the 7 notes you have 
available out of the 12 possible chromatic notes.  It's sort of like a 
shopping cart in that these 7 tones will be your primary material for 
improvising and the remaining 5 will be subsidiary.  So the "order" of the

scale tones isn't really im****tant as that order constantly changes 
according to the music.  What is im****tant is the center (tonic) and the 
other tones' relation****ps to that tonic.

BTW, I'd strongly recommend you find a teacher if at all possible.
Tom