Defining Scales

A scale is a family of notes that share a sequential pattern of half and whole steps. Each scale's note pattern offers a unique harmonic sound created by the different note tensions between each interval of the scale.

I find it valuable to understand scales as various sound preset that when we play the notes and chords that are come from these scales we get different sound and mood textures. You will encounter many types of scales as you explore music. These are valuable presets that offer you a wide array of options when writing, composing and improvising. They come in all sorts of sizes ranging from five to twelve note scales.

Illustrated below are three different types of C scales, the C-chromatic, C-major and C-natural minor scales. By listening and comparing each of the scales to one another, we can contextualize the unique harmonic qualities that each scale encompasses.

The tonic is the specific note that a scale pattern is established on, so in the example below the tonic is C. If we were to establish the same half whole scale pattern from any other note, other than C, even though the notes would be different the harmonic pattern remains the same. Therefore the harmonic quality is the same.

There are 3 ways to work out the many scales that exist. As we learn each scale we are able to scrutinize them in several ways.

I. Patterns of half and whole steps

2. Intervals from scale tonic.

3. Shapes across the keyboard topography (white and black note shapes)