Let’s dive into the basics of music theory and talk about one of its fundamental concepts: scales.
When we listen to a piece of music, we can identify its rhythm, melody, and harmony.
But have you ever wondered how those musical notes are organized? Well, that’s where scales come in.
In Western music, there are 12 distinct pitches, which can be organized into scales. A scale is a sequence of notes arranged in a specific pattern that gives music its unique sound and character.
In this article, we’ll explore the difference between two of the most common scales: the major scale and the minor scale. So, let’s get started and unravel the mystery of musical scales!
Table of Contents
What is a Scale?
Music scales are essentially a collection of musical notes that are arranged in ascending or descending order. These scales help to create melody, harmony, and rhythm in music. In simpler terms, a scale is like a musical alphabet that allows musicians to create various melodies and harmonies.
The most commonly used scales in Western music consist of seven notes and are called heptatonic scales. These scales are commonly used in various musical genres, including classical, pop, and rock. Some popular examples of heptatonic scales include the major scale and the natural minor scale.
In addition to heptatonic scales, there are also scales with fewer notes, such as the pentatonic scale, which has only five notes. This type of scale is commonly used in folk music and is also popular in various types of world music.
On the other hand, there is also a scale that uses all 12 pitches, which is called the chromatic scale. This scale is often used in jazz and contemporary music and creates a unique and distinct sound.
The Difference Between Major and Minor Scale in Music
If you’re a music lover, you’ve probably heard of the terms “major” and “minor” before. But what do they mean exactly?
In Western music, the major scale is the most common scale used. It’s made up of seven notes with the root note being the first note in the scale. The other notes are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th degrees of the scale. When you reach the 7th degree, you’re just one half step away from the root note, but an octave higher.
Now, what makes a major scale sound, well, major? It’s the 3rd degree of the scale. This note gives the major scale its signature sound, which is happy and uplifting.
On the other hand, a minor scale sounds sad and melancholic. It’s constructed a bit differently from a major scale. In a natural minor scale, the 3rd degree is a half step lower than in the major scale, making it a “minor” third instead of a “major” third.
While the 7th degree of the major scale leads back to the root note, the 7th degree of the natural minor scale is a whole step away from the root note, creating a different sound. There are also other variations of the minor scale, such as the harmonic and melodic minor scales, which differ in the 6th and 7th degrees of the scale.
What is the Minor Scale?
When it comes to Western music, the minor scale is considered the second most important element after the major scale. Unlike the major scale, the minor scale is known for its melancholic and sometimes eerie sound that most people associate with sadness. In fact, there are three different types of minor scales – natural, harmonic, and melodic – but the natural minor scale is the one that sounds most familiar to most people’s ears.
To construct a natural minor scale, you start with the root note and follow a specific pattern of whole and half steps. The pattern goes like this:
- The “root” note of the scale
- Two whole steps up from the root note
- Half step up from the second note
- Two whole steps up from the third note
- Two whole steps up from the fourth note
- Half step up from the fifth note
- Whole step up from the sixth note
So, for example, if you wanted to build an A natural minor scale, you would start with an A note and follow the pattern mentioned above, resulting in the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and then A again (but one octave higher than the first A note).
In summary, the minor scale is a key component of Western music, and its sound is often associated with sadness and melancholy. The natural minor scale is the most commonly used type of minor scale, and it can be constructed by following a specific pattern of whole and half steps.
What is the Harmonic Minor Scale?
The harmonic minor scale is a unique and interesting scale that’s worth learning about. In this scale, the seventh scale degree is raised, creating a “natural seventh.” This is quite different from the “flat seventh” or “minor seventh” found in the natural minor scale.
To better understand the difference between the two scales, let’s take a look at the E natural minor and E harmonic minor scales. Both consist of seven notes: E – F# – G – A – B – C – D for the natural minor scale and E – F# – G – A – B – C – D# for the harmonic minor scale. The only difference between them is that the seventh note in the E harmonic minor scale has been raised to D#.
This alteration of the seventh degree turns it into a leading tone, similar to what you would find in a major scale. As a result, the harmonic minor scale produces a unique sound that’s often described as “Arabian.”
In fact, it’s the preferred minor scale in the musical traditions of North Africa and the Iberian peninsula. But, you might be surprised to know that it’s also used in rock music.
For instance, Slash’s solo in the Guns N’ Roses hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine” makes use of a mixture of blues and harmonic minor scales.
What is the Melodic Minor Scale?
The melodic minor scale is a bit of an oddball, but don’t worry, it’s not too complicated to understand. When you play the melodic minor scale going up, you use a flat third (or minor third) degree, but all the other notes are the same as a major scale, which includes a natural 6th and natural 7th degree. However, when you play the melodic minor scale going down, it’s the same as a natural minor scale.
To give you an example, let’s look at the E melodic minor scale. When you play it going up, you would play the notes E – F# – G – A – B – C# – D#.
But when you play it going down, you would play the notes E – D – C – B – A – G – F#.
Out of the three minor scales, the melodic minor scale is the least commonly used. You might find it in some classical music, and some jazz musicians might incorporate it into their solos. So, while it may be an odd one, it’s still worth learning about if you’re interested in music theory.
Understanding Pentatonic Scales and Blues Scales
Music is a universal language, and scales are its foundation. Scales are a sequence of notes played in ascending or descending order, and they form the basis of melody and harmony. Among the various types of scales, pentatonic scales and blues scales are some of the most popular ones used in modern music. Let’s explore what they are and how they work.
Pentatonic Scales
A pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five notes per octave, hence the name “penta” (meaning five) and “tonic” (meaning note). Pentatonic scales are commonly found in various musical traditions worldwide, and they are reduced versions of major and minor scales.
Major Pentatonic Scale
A major pentatonic scale is a major scale without the 4th and 7th scale degrees. This leaves us with the following scale degrees:
1 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 6
Minor Pentatonic Scale
The minor pentatonic scale is a variation on the natural minor scale. To turn a natural minor scale into a minor pentatonic scale, eliminate the 2nd and 6th scale degrees. This leaves us with:
1 – b3 – 4 – 5 – b7
Blues Scales
Blues scales are pentatonic scales with added notes, and those notes vary from player to player. The blues scale is commonly used in blues, rock, and jazz music, and it adds a distinct sound and emotion to the music.
Major Blues Scale
To “blues up” a major pentatonic scale, consider adding:
- A flat fifth (for instance, Ab in the key of D major)
- A flat third (to go along with the natural third, for instance, F in the key of D major)
- A flat seventh (for instance, C in the key of D major)
- The natural 7th (which would be C# in the key of D major), but only as a “passing tone” between C and D. Don’t linger on the natural 7th if you want to sound bluesy.
In reality, you can make any note work in the major blues scale if you don’t linger on it too long. But one note to generally avoid is the flat 6th (for instance, Bb in the key of D major). This note will really fight the major tonality.
Minor Blues Scale
To “blues up” a minor pentatonic scale, consider adding:
- A flat 5th
- A natural 7th in addition to the flat 7th that’s already in the minor pentatonic scale. (But only use it in passing between the flat 7th and the root—so in the G minor blues scale, you can use an F#, but only to connect an F to a G.)
You can add pretty much any note to the minor pentatonic scale except the natural 3rd. Within the G minor blues scale, this means you should not play a B natural. It will completely clash with the minor character of everything else you’re playing.
In conclusion, pentatonic scales and blues scales are essential tools for musicians, and they can add depth and emotion to any music style. With practice and experimentation, you can master these scales and use them to create unique and expressive music.
- Learn more about blues scales.
What about Modes?
Modes are a way of organizing musical notes that can help musicians create different moods and textures in their compositions. In simple terms, modes are derived from major and minor scales and are based on different starting points within those scales. You can check out our guide to learn more about musical modes.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most commonly used modes derived from the major scale:
Ionian Mode: A Fancy Term for Major Scale
The Ionian mode is the first mode in the major scale and is essentially just a fancy way of saying “major scale.” The pattern for the Ionian mode is the same as the major scale, starting from the root note.
Dorian Mode: A Cousin to the Minor Scale
The Dorian mode is the second mode in the major scale and is similar to the minor scale. It has a unique sound and is popular with guitarists in a variety of genres, from jazz to metal.
Phrygian Mode: An Arabian Sound
The Phrygian mode is the third mode in the major scale and has a distinct Arabian sound that is often used in Spanish and North African music. It has a minor tonality and can create a moody, exotic feel.
Lydian Mode: A Lifting Sensation
The Lydian mode is the fourth mode in the major scale and is closely related to the major scale. It has a “lifting” sensation that makes it popular in inspirational film music and other genres.
Mixolydian Mode: A Rock and Blues Sound
The Mixolydian mode is the fifth mode in the major scale and is heard frequently in rock, blues, and fusion. It’s closely related to the major scale and has a bluesy sound that makes it popular for guitar solos.
Aeolian Mode: A Minor Scale
The Aeolian mode is the sixth mode in the major scale and is essentially the same as the natural minor scale. It has a sad, melancholy sound that makes it popular in ballads and other emotional pieces.
Locrian Mode: A Thorny Sound
The Locrian mode is the seventh and final mode in the major scale and has a dense, thorny sound that is rarely used in long passages. It’s sometimes used by jazz musicians over diminished chords, but it’s not a mode that most musicians use frequently.
In conclusion, understanding modes can help musicians create different moods and textures in their music. While there are many modes to choose from, most musicians tend to focus on modes derived from the major scale, with the Ionian and Aeolian modes (major and minor scales) being the most commonly used.