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One of the most basic and fundamental elements in music is the scale. A scale is simply a series of ascending and descending notes. The first type of scales I will discuss will be the diatonic scales. These scales make use of whole steps and half steps (and one step-and-a-half). In these scales, each note has particular importance, and the first tone is particularly important. The major scale is the most commonly used diatonic scale in western music. The easiest way to construct a major scale is to memorize the step patterns. Below is a diagram of the step pattern.
The best way to remember this series of steps is to use this formula: WWHWWWH
I'll give you an example. A C major scale starts on C. The next note in the scale is D(a whole step up from C). The next note would be E(a whole step up from D). Then it would be F(a half step from E), then G (whole step from F), then A (whole step from G), then B (whole step from A), and finally you resolve to C(a half step from B). This formula will work for any note you pick, as long as you stick to the WWHWWWH pattern.
The minor scale is another commonly used diatonic scale. There are several distinct forms of a minor scale, each one alters the pitch of the sixth and seventh notes of the scale. Although these forms are very separate and distinct, they are still thought of as one minor scale. There are three forms of the minor scale: the natural, the harmonic, and the melodic.
The natural minor scale can be thought of as a major scale starting on the sixth note, see the diagram below.
The best way to memorize this is to simply play the root note, and go up one whole step and one half step, then figure out the major key that is related to the minor key you are trying to figure out. Then simply play the major scale, starting on the sixth note (the note you originally started with). Click here for a table which will show all major/minor relationships.
The harmonic form is even easier. The only difference between the harmonic form and the natural form is that the harmonic form has a raised seventh. The last note of the scale before the octave is raised one half step. For instance, the G in the A natural minor form would become a G# in the A harmonic minor form. This is done because half steps are very important in music. When moving in half steps, the first will naturally "pull" towards the second. Also, this leaves a distance of a step-and-a-half between the sixth and seventh notes of the scale, which adds a nice "snake charmer" kind of sound. And, if the seventh note of the scale is raised, that means that the dominant chord will be major (instead of minor, as in the natural minor scale) and will have more pull towards the root chord. But that will be discussed in a later section.
The melodic minor form is a little more complicated. In this form, the sixth and seventh notes of the natural minor scale are raised when ascending, and lowered when descending. An example: the D minor scale. The natural form would be DEFGABb CD (related to F major). In the melodic form, it would be like this:DEFGAB(natural)C#D C(natural) Bb AGFED.
The major and minor scales are by far the most used, but there are many other non-diatonic scales in existence. One which is commonly used is the chromatic scale. This scale consists entirely of half steps, and has no tonic key or root note. This is usually not used as a foundation, but often appears in short passages or as a transitional statement.
The major and minor scales are by far the most used, but there are many other non-diatonic scales in existence. One which is commonly used is the chromatic scale. This scale consists entirely of half steps, and has no tonic key or root note. This is usually not used as a foundation, but often appears in short passages or as a transitional statement.
From c.800-1500 C.E., the church "modes" formed the basis for nearly all western music. Later, in c.1400-1600, a few more modes were put into place. A mode is directly related to a major scale. There are seven modes: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. The modes are simply major scales starting on notes other than the tonic. In fact, the first mode, Ionian, is simply a major scale. The sixth mode, Aeolian, is simply a natural minor scale. The Dorian and Mixolydian are the most commonly used modes, and the Locrian is very very rare.
