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Constructing Scales
LESSONS: 1 MAJOR SCALES 2 MINOR SCALES
Now that we understand the notes, and tone/semi-tone intervals, we can begin to make a scale. Scales are an essential part of music theory and there are several types - we will be focusing on major scales and minor scales. Other types include Blues scales, harmonic scales, and the use of modes. We have already looked at what a chromatic scale is.
A scale is a series of musical notes ordered by their pitch. This order varies depending on which kind of scale we are trying to make. Let's start with the major scale.
MAJOR SCALES
The major scale consists of 7 notes (or 8 if you include the octave) and defines what notes will make the key of the scale you are writing in. The method to create a major scale is as follows:
TONE TONE SEMI-TONE TONE TONE TONE SEMI-TONE
T T ST T T T ST
1. Start with the note of the scale you are making
2. Find the note that is a TONE up from this note.
If you struggle with this, revisit the 'Notes and Accidentals' page to guide you. A good start is using the chromatic scale and jumping to the note. You could also try the tone/semi-tone questions on the Quizzes page to revise.
3. When you have found the correct note, move up one TONE from this new note.
4. Once you have found this new note, move up a SEMI-TONE.
5. Then move up a TONE
6. And another TONE
7. And, yes, another TONE
8. To get the octave, go up a SEMI-TONE. This should be the same note that you started with. If it isn't, go back and check that you're previous notes are correct!
EXAMPLE 1: C MAJOR SCALE
We will start learning with a C major scale. This means that all the notes we are about to find in the scale, are the notes used in the key of C. Whatever scale you are trying to make, you will always start with the note of the scale you are forming. We are forming a C major scale, and will therefore start with the note C.
Let's try the C major scale together. We will use this chromatic scale to find your tones and semi-tones! (What is a chromatic scale?)
A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G#
Step 1 Remember, we are constructing a C Major scale, so we start on C as our first note!
Step 2 says to move up a TONE. A tone is when you skip the adjacent note in the chromatic scale and land on the next one. In this case, we will skip C#, and land on D.
So far, our scale looks like this: C D
Step 3 says to move up one more TONE from our last note (D). This means to move up two places like we just did on step 2 (or you can think of it as skipping one note). So, we skip the D# and land on E.
So far, our scale looks like this: C D E
Step 4 then requires a SEMI-TONE interval. This is when we only move up one note, unlike two when moving a tone. Look back up at the chromatic scale and find the E note. Then, go to the note directly next to it (a semi-tone away). This note is our next note! F!
So far, our scale looks like this: C D E F
Step 5 requires us to move up a TONE from the F. Move two notes to find the tone - G!
So far, our scale looks like this: C D E F G
Step 6 needs another TONE. G plus a tone is? A!
So far, our scale looks like this: C D E F G A
Step 7 also needs a TONE, so let's move up two notes on the chromatic scale to land on B.
So far, our scale looks like this: C D E F G A B
Step 8 gives us our octave, and should always be the same as the note we started on! It is a SEMI-TONE up from our last note. What's next to B in the chromatic scale above? C!
Now our scale is complete: C D E F G A B C
If your last note on step 8 was not the same as the firs note you started with, revise your work and keep trying!
Let's try another one!
EXAMPLE 2: G MAJOR SCALE
A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G#
Step 1 Remember, we are constructing a G Major scale, so we start on G as our first note!
Step 2 says to move up a TONE. A tone is when you skip the adjacent note in the chromatic scale and land on the next one. In this case, we will skip G#, and land on A.
So far, our scale looks like this: G A
Step 3 says to move up one more TONE from our last note (A). This means to move up two places like we just did on step 2 (or you can think of it as skipping one note). So, we skip the A# and land on B.
So far, our scale looks like this: G A B
Step 4 then requires a SEMI-TONE interval. This is when we only move up one note, unlike two when moving a tone. Look back up at the chromatic scale and find the B note. Then, go to the note directly next to it (a semi-tone away). This note is our next note! C!
So far, our scale looks like this: G A B C
Step 5 requires us to move up a TONE from the C. Move two notes to find the tone - D!
So far, our scale looks like this: G A B C D
Step 6 needs another TONE. D plus a tone is? E!
So far, our scale looks like this: G A B C D E
Step 7 also needs a TONE, so let's move up two notes on the chromatic scale to land on F#.
So far, our scale looks like this: G A B C D E F#
Step 8 gives us our octave, and should always be the same as the note we started on! It is a SEMI-TONE up from our last note. What's next to F# in the chromatic scale above? G!
Now our scale is complete: G A B C D E F# G
If your last note on step 8 was not the same as the firs note you started with, revise your work and keep trying!
MINOR SCALES
Here is the method for Minor scales.
TONE SEMI-TONE TONE TONE SEMI-TONE TONE TONE
T ST T T ST T T
1. Start with the note of the scale you are making
2. Find the note that is a TONE up from this note.
If you struggle with this, revisit the 'Notes and Accidentals' page to guide you. A good start is using the chromatic scale and jumping to the note. You could also try the tone/semi-tone questions on the Quizzes page to revise.
3. When you have found the correct note, move up one SEMI-TONE from this new note.
4. Once you have found this new note, move up a TONE.
5. Then move up a TONE
6. Next, a SEMI-TONE
7. Then comes a TONE
8. To get the octave, go up a TONE. This should be the same note that you started with. If it isn't, go back and check that you're previous notes are correct!
EXAMPLE 1: A MINOR (Am) SCALE
A 'm' always refers to minor. Major can be a capital M, or no M at all.
A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G#
Step 1 Remember, we are constructing an A minor (Am) scale, so we start on A as our first note!
Step 2 says to move up a TONE. A tone is when you skip the adjacent note in the chromatic scale and land on the next one. In this case, we will skip A#, and land on B.
So far, our scale looks like this: A B
Step 3 says to move up a SEMI-TONE from our last note (B). This means we go to the adjacent note - C.
So far, our scale looks like this: A B C
Step 4 then requires a TONE interval. Look back up at the chromatic scale and find the C note. Then, jump two spaces. This note is our next note! D!
So far, our scale looks like this: A B C D
Step 5 requires us to move up a TONE from the D. Move two notes to find the tone - E!
So far, our scale looks like this: A B C D E
Step 6 needs a SEMI-TONE. E plus a semi-tone is....... F!
So far, our scale looks like this: A B C D E F
Step 7 also needs a TONE, so let's move up two notes on the chromatic scale to land on G.
So far, our scale looks like this: A B C D E F G
Step 8 gives us our octave, and should always be the same as the note we started on! It is a TONE up from our last note. What's next to G in the chromatic scale above? A!
Now our scale is complete: A B C D E F G A
If your last note on step 8 was not the same as the firs note you started with, revise your work and keep trying!
Practice constructing major and minor scales! The Quizzes page has lots of questions on scales where you can perfect your understanding. To access this page, you'll need to sign up as a site member but don't worry - it's totally free! Visit the Quizzes and keep up your practice!
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