1. Scales & Intervals Theory I 9 th grade Ms. Wasko

2. What is a scale?  The arrangement of notes in an ascending and descending order  All twelve pitches within an octave make up the chromatic scale.  Two main scales played are major and minor.  Each consist of eight notes, each scale note numbered 1-8.

3. Major scales  Played in a manner of whole and half steps:  Two whole steps, a half step, three whole steps and another half step make up a major scale.  Key signatures change when scale begins on different notes, keeping within the step rule stated above.

4. Minor Scales  Every major scale has a relative minor.  Relative minor means it shares the same key signature as the major.  There are three types of minor scales:  Natural minor – contains only the key signature from relative major. No pitches are altered.  Harmonic Minor – the same as the natural minor scale, only the seventh scale degree is raised in ascending and descending.  Melodic Minor – a natural minor scale with the sixth and seventh degrees raised ascending, and lowered back to natural minor on descending.

5. Natural Minor Scale  The natural minor scale is found by going to the relative major’s sixth scale degree. That is the tonic of the natural minor scale.  The tonic is the first note of the scale.  In this case, C is the sixth scale degree of Eb major, so C is the tonic of the relative minor, keeping the Eb major key signature.

6. Harmonic Minor Scale  Harmonic minor scale is the same as the natural minor, only the seventh scale degree is raised.  In this case, the B is made into B natural.  Remember that the seventh is raised in ascending as well as descending!

7. Melodic Minor Scale  The scale is the same as the natural minor, but with two differences:  The sixth and seventh scale degrees are raised in ascending.  The raised sixth and seventh degrees are lowered back to natural minor on descending.

8. Audio Examples of Scales Click to play Major Scale Click to play Natural Minor Scale Click to play Harmonic Minor Scale Click to play Melodic Minor Scale

9. Intervals  There are two types of intervals:  A diatonic interval  A chromatic interval  These can be simple intervals (happening within one octave of a scale), or compound intervals (happening outside of one octave of a scale).

10. Terms for Intervals  Five qualifying terms for intervals, and their abbreviations:  Major (M) – whole steps between notes.  Minor (m) – half steps between notes.  Both of these are applied to the following scale degrees: 2 nds, 3 rds, 6 ths and 7 ths.  Perfect (P) – always a major interval.  This applies only to 4 ths, 5 ths, and octaves.  Augmented (+) – adding a half step to a major interval to raise it.  Diminished (o) – taking away a half step of a major interval to lower it.  These last two can apply to any scale degree, but least commonly with the perfect intervals.

11. Diatonic Intervals  These are intervals found within the key signature given.  In C major, the only intervals can be built using any two of these pitches: C, D, E, F, G, A and B.

12. Chromatic Intervals  These intervals do not stick with the key signature. They use flats or sharps to alter the interval chromatically.  In the key of C, any pitch can work as a chromatic interval. So you can have an interval between C and F#, and that is considered a chromatic interval!

13. Sounds of Intervals  Intervals can be classified by how they sound: consonance and dissonance.  Consonance refers to an interval sounding without any tension when you hear it.  Dissonance refers to the interval sounding with tension when you hear it.

14. Reference Slide  Turek, Ralph. The Elements of Music, Concepts and Applications, Volume One. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1996.  Music Theory. Posting Dates unknown. Music Notes on Thinkquest. Accessed 25 November, 2006.  Music Theory. Posting Dates unknown. Music Notes on Thinkquest. Accessed 25 November, 2006.