idea
A scale is a set of notes arranged in a standard pattern which makes it sound a certain way. Scales are represented using W, for whole step, and H for half step. A step is a Semitone.
Music pieces (or portions of music pieces) are in a certain scale if the notes it uses are mainly in this scale.
There are several types of scales, the most common in western culture is the major scale. Most commonly scales in western culture have 7 notes (heptatonic)
``` | Name | Scale | Example | Comment | |-------|---------------|------------------|---------| | Major | W-W-H-W-W-W-H | C-D-E-F-G-A-B | | | Minor | W-H-W-W-H-W-W | C-D-E♭-F-G-A♭-B♭ | | | Minor Harmonic | W-H-W-W-H-W# -H| Same as minor but 7th is raised by 1/2th tone |
In the heptatonic scale, the notes are called as follows:
| Note | Name |
|---|---|
| 1st | Tonic |
| 3rd | Median |
| 5th | Dominant |
| 7th | Leading |