SCALES

Pitches  and scales are easily visualized on a keyboard. Western Music divides the octave into 12 equal parts. This is sometimes referred to as the chromatic scale. Most music we know is based on 7 note scales called diatonic scales. A scale is an ordering of pitches. Diatonic scales consist of a series of whole-steps and half-steps. The smallest distance between any two notes is called a half-step. a chromatic scales consists of all half-steps. A whole-step is the distance of two half-steps.

A sharp = # -raises a note a half-step

A flat =b -lowers a note a half-step

Major scale- a major scale can be demonstrated by playing the notes

C to C on a keyboard. By noting the pattern of half-steps and

whole-steps a formula can be derived  that can be applied to major

scales starting on any note.

H = half-step

W = whole-step

               C major scale   C   D   E   F   G   A   B   C

Formula for major scales = W  W  H   W   W  W   H

              G major scale   G    A  B  C   D    E   F#  G

Minor scale - a minor  scale can be demonstrated by playing the

notes A to A on a keyboard. By noting the pattern of half-steps

and whole-steps a formula can be derived  that can be applied

to minor scales starting on any note.

C Major Scale

G Major Scale

A Minor Scale