Major Scale Construction
A major scale is a seven-note scale that follows a specific pattern of whole and half steps. The formula for constructing a major scale is: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). This pattern creates a bright and happy sound typical of major tonalities.
- The major scale consists of seven notes plus the octave.
- Follows a W-W-H-W-W-W-H step pattern.
- Forms the basis for major key harmony.
Minor Scale Construction
The minor scale also consists of seven notes and has a distinct sound, often described as sad or melancholic. There are several types of minor scales, but the natural minor scale follows this step pattern: W-H-W-W-H-W-W. The minor scale's relative major is located a minor third above its root.
- The natural minor scale has a W-H-W-W-H-W-W pattern.
- Minor scales also consist of seven notes plus the octave.
- The relative major is a minor third above the minor scale’s root.
Modes of the Major Scale
Modes are derived from the major scale by starting at each note and using the same scale tone. This results in different tonalities and flavors while maintaining the same note sequence. The seven modes are: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian.
- Modes use the same notes as the major scale but start from different scale degrees.
- Cada modo tiene un sonido único: Ionian (Mayor), Dorian (Menor con #6), Phrygian (Menor con b2), Lydian (Mayor con #4), Mixolydian (Mayor con b7), Aeolian (Menor), y Locrian (Menor con b5).
- Los modos proporcionan diversas texturas armónicas y melódicas.
The Pentatonic Scale
The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that is especially popular in rock, blues, and folk music. It can be major or minor. The major pentatonic scale removes the fourth and seventh degrees from the major scale, while the minor pentatonic scale is derived from the natural minor scale by removing the second and sixth degrees.
- Compuesto por cinco notas, la escala pentatónica evita intervalos disonantes.
- La escala pentatónica mayor se forma eliminando la cuarta y la séptima notas de la escala mayor.
- La escala pentatónica menor se forma eliminando la segunda y la sexta notas de la escala menor.
The Blues Scale
The blues scale is a variation of the pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth degree, which gives it a distinctive “bluesy” sound. Se utiliza extensamente en el jazz y el blues para crear líneas melódicas expresivas. La escala menor blues se forma añadiendo la flat quinta a la escala menor pentatónica.
- La escala blues se deriva de la escala pentatónica menor al añadir la quinta disminuida.
- Proporciona un sonido característico y expresivo, ideal para la improvisación en géneros como el blues y jazz.
- La escala menor blues consiste en las notas: 1, b3, 4, b5, 5, y b7.
Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales
The harmonic and melodic minors are variations of la escala menor que aportan más diversidad armónica. La escala menor armónica eleva la séptima nota de la escala menor natural, creando un intervalo de séptima dominante, y la escala menor melódica eleva tanto la sexta como la séptima cuando se asciende, aunque sigue la menor natural al descender.
- La escala menor armónica eleva la séptima nota para crear una sensación dominante.
- La escala menor melódica eleva la sexta y la séptima al ascender, pero regresa a la natural al descender.
- Ambas escalas proporcionan más opciones para la resolución armónica y la composición.