Major Scales - Key Concepts

Definition and Importance

• Scale: A set of notes ordered by pitch.
• Major Scale: A cornerstone of Western classical music theory, essential for understanding various theoretical concepts.
  • Intervals, key signatures, triads, tetrads, pentads, hexads, heptads (chords)
  • Solfege (movable and fixed do)
  • Minor scales, bebop scales, pentatonic scales
  • Cadences, chord progressions
  • Circle of fifths and fourths
  • Modes

Characteristics of Major Scales

• 15 Major Scales: Though they appear different, they follow simple rules.
• Basic Rules:
  1. 8 notes
  2. Same starting and ending note
  3. Each other letter shows up once

Example: C Major Scale

• Notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
• Follows the basic rules of major scales.

Sharps, Flats, and Intervals

• Intervallic Relationships: Determines the presence of sharps or flats in a scale.
• Piano Keyboard Illustration:
  • C major: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
  • Pattern of played and skipped notes creates the sound.

Tones and Semitones

• Semitone: Smallest interval, a half step.
  • Examples: C to C#, D to D#
• Tone: Two semitones, a whole step.
  • Examples: C to D, E to F#
• Major Scale Pattern: Tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone.

Constructing a Major Scale: D Major Example

• D Major Scale:
  • D to E (tone)
  • E to F# (tone)
  • F# to G (semitone)
  • G to A (tone)
  • A to B (tone)
  • B to C# (tone)
  • C# to D (semitone)

Writing a Major Scale

• Write notes from the starting note to the same ending note (8 notes total).
• Use the tone-tone-semitone pattern.
• Adjust notes with sharps or flats as needed.

Examples with Sharps and Flats

• A Major Scale:
  • Start on A, end on A, adjust as per interval pattern.
  • Sharps: C#, F#, G#
• C# Major Scale:
  • Note adjustments: E# (F), B# (C)

Enharmonic Equivalents

• Notes that sound the same but are spelled differently.
  • Example: F# = G♭
  • Some white notes: E = F♯, B = C♯

Common Questions

• Different Interval Patterns: Other scales (chromatic, whole tone) have different patterns.
• Non-existent Scales: G♯ major and others don't follow rules due to double sharps/flats.

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Interval Pattern Errors: Ensure tone-tone-semitone pattern is used correctly.
• Writing a Major Scale: Follow the steps: name, notes, pattern, sharps/flats.

Conclusion

• Understanding major scales is essential for navigating Western classical music theory.
• Important to follow rules and interval patterns to construct scales correctly.