The structure avoids half step intervals, by eliminating the 4th and 7th scale degrees.
The number of scale degrees and the distance between them together define a scale.
In other words, it is the interval between two consecutive scale degrees.
Traditional tonal music is described in terms of a scale degrees, upon which are built chords.
The triads built on the remaining three scale degrees are minor.
The distinctive scale degree here is the diminished fifth (d5).
In the natural minor scale, all scale degrees are the same as the relative major.
Each pattern relates to the scale degrees of the key.
The diagrams above show the two scales marked with "scale degrees".
The line actually begins and ends on the 5th scale degree creating a half cadence.