ByBy

Prof. Lydia AyersProf. Lydia Ayers

[i:53][i:53] Scale Scale[i:53][i:53] Scale Scale

DoDo

TiTi

LaLa

SolSol

FaFa

MiMi

ReRe

DoDo

ScalesScalesScalesScales

• <ewm2:10> <ewm2:10> The Sound of MusicThe Sound of Music• Do, a deer …Do, a deer …• Re, a drop of golden sun,Re, a drop of golden sun,• Mi, a name I call myself,Mi, a name I call myself,• Fa, a long, long way to run,Fa, a long, long way to run,• Sol, a needle pulling thread,Sol, a needle pulling thread,• La, a note to follow Sol,La, a note to follow Sol,• Ti, a drink with jam and bread,Ti, a drink with jam and bread,• That will bring us back to Do...That will bring us back to Do...

The Major ScaleThe Major ScaleThe Major ScaleThe Major Scale• the scale pattern using two sections in the the scale pattern using two sections in the

interval order of interval order of [i:54][i:54] whole step, whole whole step, whole step and half stepstep and half step

[i:53] [i:53] The C Major ScaleThe C Major Scale[i:53] [i:53] The C Major ScaleThe C Major Scale• Uses 7 letter names, Uses 7 letter names,

C-BC-B• TonicTonic

• Most important noteMost important note• First and last note of First and last note of

this scalethis scale

C Major Scale

MelodyMelodyMelodyMelody• pitches, one pitches, one afterafter the other, which form a the other, which form a

musical idea (a "tune")musical idea (a "tune")• Example: a melody using a Major ScaleExample: a melody using a Major Scale

[i:55][i:55] Kum Ba Yah Kum Ba Yah (Black American) (Black American)

Just TuningJust TuningJust TuningJust Tuning

• based on the harmonic based on the harmonic seriesseries

• one "home base" pitchone "home base" pitch• changing from key to key changing from key to key

is difficult is difficult

• in common use in the in common use in the Middle Ages and Early Middle Ages and Early Renaissance, and in Renaissance, and in uncommon use in the uncommon use in the 20th Century20th Century

[i:53][i:53] Just Major Scale Just Major Scale[i:53][i:53] Just Major Scale Just Major Scale

Just TuningJust TuningJust TuningJust Tuning• chords in tune because based on harmonic chords in tune because based on harmonic

seriesseries[i:56][i:56] Just Major Triad

(4 5 6)

KeyKeyKeyKey

• Indicates the principal note that a Indicates the principal note that a piece of music will emphasizepiece of music will emphasize• The piece will mostly use notes from The piece will mostly use notes from

that scalethat scale

• Allows moving the scale pattern up Allows moving the scale pattern up and downand down

Key SignatureKey SignatureKey SignatureKey Signature

• One or more sharps or flats placed at One or more sharps or flats placed at the beginning of the line to indicate the the beginning of the line to indicate the keykey

G Major Key Signature = F# AccidentalG Major Key Signature = F# Accidental

KeysKeysKeysKeys• Key signaturesKey signatures

• sharps and flats always placed in the same sharps and flats always placed in the same orderorder

Cb Major Key SignatureCb Major Key Signature

C# Major Key SignatureC# Major Key Signature

The Circle of FifthsThe Circle of FifthsThe Circle of FifthsThe Circle of Fifths• major scales and their key

signatures arranged in a circle

• in clockwise direction, each scale begins on the fifth scale degree of the previous scale

• in counter-clockwise direction, each scale begins on the fourth scale degree of the previous scale

The Circle of FifthsThe Circle of FifthsThe Circle of FifthsThe Circle of Fifths

Graphic by Edward Wong

Major Scales with SharpsMajor Scales with SharpsMajor Scales with SharpsMajor Scales with Sharps• G Major ScaleG Major Scale

• D Major ScaleD Major Scale

• etc.etc.

Major Scales with FlatsMajor Scales with FlatsMajor Scales with FlatsMajor Scales with Flats• F Major ScaleF Major Scale

• Bb Major ScaleBb Major Scale

• etc.etc.