Overview
In this module, you will learn all about scales - the most important ones and how they are found in pieces. As usual, there is lots of practical work plus some studies to help you grasp the concepts.
What is a scale?
A scale is a collection of notes that ascend and descend by step in a particular pattern or arrangement of whole steps and half steps. It starts and ends on the same note, establishing a sense of key, where one note reigns over all and is felt to be the centre or “home” note.
Sometimes a scale is referred to as a gamut, or a “range”, as the notes of a scale can form a range of notes used in a particular composition.
While there can be potentially many different types of scales, only two will be focused on here as they form the foundation of tonal music:
1) Major
2) Melodic Minor
Sometimes a scale is referred to as a gamut, or a “range”, as the notes of a scale can form a range of notes used in a particular composition.
While there can be potentially many different types of scales, only two will be focused on here as they form the foundation of tonal music:
1) Major
2) Melodic Minor
Structure of the Major Scale
The Major scale has the following arrangement of whole steps and half steps. It’s characterized by the interval of a Major Third from the 1st note (C) to the 3rd note (E), as indicated in the example:
Think of whole steps and half steps this way:
Whole Step = 2 Frets Half Step = 1 Fret
Whole Step = 2 Frets Half Step = 1 Fret
Structure of the Melodic Minor Scale
The Minor scale comes in several forms, but the most useful and relevant one to know is the melodic minor scale. It’s more complicated than the Major Scale, because the notes are different when descending as they are to ascending. As the example below indicated and describes, the 6th and 7th notes are raised up a half step when the scale ascends and those same notes are lowered a half step when the scale descends. This gives a very smooth sound to the scale overall.
The most characteristic feature of any minor scale (including this one) is the minor 3rd interval from the 1st note (A) to the 3rd note (C).
The most characteristic feature of any minor scale (including this one) is the minor 3rd interval from the 1st note (A) to the 3rd note (C).
Why does it matter?
Scales are another building block that are frequently in music, though they’re not quite as obvious on the surface as triads (or other chords) are.
When scales are used in pieces, they are mostly used in fragments or segments. You will find small groups of notes from a scale everywhere in music! You won’t often find entire scales in music very often and that’s often the biggest disconnect for people. Scales are very relevant to learning music when you think of them in segments.
Look at how scale segments are used in the examples below:
When scales are used in pieces, they are mostly used in fragments or segments. You will find small groups of notes from a scale everywhere in music! You won’t often find entire scales in music very often and that’s often the biggest disconnect for people. Scales are very relevant to learning music when you think of them in segments.
Look at how scale segments are used in the examples below:
Overview: In this popular piece, the opening phrase uses a descending 5-4-3-2-1 segment of an E Minor scale. Notice how some notes are repeated, making the scale segment less obvious. These notes do go way beyond the first position, but this example illustrates very well how relevant scales are to pieces.
Can you see the scale segments used in the example below? Can you find them in pieces you're working on?
Can you see the scale segments used in the example below? Can you find them in pieces you're working on?
Can you find scale fragments in pieces you're working on? Please upload yourself demonstrating them to inspire fellow HTM members to do it too!
Ask questions relevant to this topic and check out other questions , answers, conversations, etc.
Ask questions relevant to this topic and check out other questions , answers, conversations, etc.
