Music
Theory
Tutorial
Part II
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Scales
Scales are built by the succession of a series of intervals
within one octave. In Western music we have what is known as the major/minor
system. These are the two primary scales used in all of Western music, which
includes everything from J. S. Bach to M.C. Hammer. I hope this gives you an
idea of the scope of just how vast this grouping is. This would include Classical,
Jazz, Rock, Polka, Reggae, Punk, Ambient, New Age, Techno, and most any other
music originating in this country. These scales contain 7 notes within the 12
note chromatic scale.
Here's a chart showing how the two scales fall on the continuous chromatic scale.
It's two steps from the 1st to the 2nd note of both the major and minor scales.
Between the 2nd and 3rd notes however the two scales diverge. The major scale has
two steps again (whole step) while the minor scale moves only one step (half step).
It may seem a bit confusing at first to call one step a half step and two steps a
whole step.
| Chromatic |
C |
C# |
D |
D# |
E |
F |
F# |
G |
G# |
A |
A# |
B |
C |
| Major |
C |
|
D |
|
E |
F |
|
G |
|
A |
|
B |
C |
| Minor |
C |
|
D |
D# |
|
F |
|
G |
|
A |
A# |
|
C |
Here's a few other scales mapped out on the chromatic sequence. Notice that
a scale may have as few as 5 notes or as many as 8. I have only presented the
various scales beginning at C but any scale can start at any point within the
chromatic scale. I'll leave this for you to figure out on your own if you'd
like to explore these further. Click on the name of the scale if you want to
hear the scale played.
Chords
Chords are in families - majors and minors; 7th's, 6th's, 9th's, 11th's,
and 13th's. Further breakdowns are dominant 7th's, major 7th's, minor 7th's.
major and minor 6th's, major and minor 9th's and so on. In addition to these
groupings, there are chords with accidentals such as 7 #9, 13 b9, or 9 #11. Also there
are major or minor add 9, or even add 2 (no 7th), or 7th Augmented b5. Drive carefully
and don't avoid those accidentals, steer into other keys from there. It's okay, trust me.
If you're ready to think about more then let's move on to
Page III of our music theory tutorial.
©2000 by Jaris Dreaming
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