Originally Posted by: axe2
Distance From Root,or One From Another.?

Good question! The answer is both depending on what you want to measure.

1. In general, there is a distance between any two notes. That distance is measured & called out by some interval.

2. Specifically, when we call out scale degrees they are always measure from the root.

So, the distance from F# to A is always a minor 3rd. Regardless of any scale you find those notes in, they are 3 frets apart, or 1 and a half steps apart.

However, if you specify that you are in the key of D major, then:

1. F# is the major 3rd because of its distance from the root D.
2. A is the 5th because of its distance from the root D.

Another example! If you specify that you are in the key of G major, then:

1. F# is the major 7th because of its distance from the root G.
2. A is the 2nd because of its distance from the root G.

Hope that helps clarify things further! Happy holidays to you also!