Scales

A Scale is simply a collection of notes. When a melody is written, the composer chooses a scale to use. Generally, only notes from the chosen scale are used in the piece. In this way, a musical scale is like a color palette used by a painter.

C Major Scale

A common scale in western music is the C Major scale, familiar to most as "do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do".

Notes: C D E F G A B C

Steps: 2 2 1 2 2 2 1

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

Like any scale, the notes all fit within a single octave. This does not mean that the melody is limited to this octave. Scale notes from any octave are also considered part of the scale.

C Minor Scale

Another common scale is the C Minor Scale. It has a distinctly darker tone and melodies using it are somber in mood.

A Minor Scale is created by flatting the 3rd, 6th and 7th of any major scale. In this case, E becomes Eb, A becomes Ab and B becomes Bb.

C D Eb F G Ab Bb C -- harmonic

Steps: 2 1 2 2 1 3 1

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

C D Eb F G A B C -- melodic

Steps: 2 1 2 2 2 2 1

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C

C# Db

D

D# Eb

E

F

F# Gb

G

G# Ab

A

A# Bb

B

C