In European music, which scale tones tend to be emphasized? (Put your answer in order of weight of emphasis—strongest to weakest.) Why is the combination of these scale degrees important? How do “Joy to the World” and “A Mighty Fortress” illustrate the emphasis of certain scale tones?

What will be an ideal response?

• The pitch "do," or the first and eighth scale degrees, is also called the "tonic. This scale degree tends to have the greatest emphasis in any European melody
• The fifth scale degree "sol," also called the "dominant," receives the next greatest emphasis.
• Both "Joy to the World" and "A Mighty Fortress" tend to emphasize the first and fifth scale degrees (do and sol respectively), which is typical of most European music.