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3.1: Scales and Scale-Steps

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    760
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts
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    Learning Objectives
    • Define scales and foundation scale-steps.
    • Define scale types.
    • The Chromatic Scale.

    In examining the notation of pitch, we observe that notes climbed or “scaled” the lines and spaces of staves from low to high. Ordered sequential collections of these pitches are called scales (Italian: scala-“ladder”).

    Scales

    Scales are comprised of five or more pitches arranged in sequential patterns of whole steps and half steps spanning an octave species. We label scales as to the number of differing elements they contain:

    1. Pentatonic: a five-tone scale.A true pentatonic scale divides the octave into five-equal steps. This is true in the music of many cultures. Because of the adopted tuning system employed by Western Music (called equal temperament), we must employ elements larger than whole- and half- steps when constructing pentatonic scales. Play only the black keys on the piano and you will readily see and hear this familiar sound.
    2. Hexatonic: a six-tone scale.
    3. Heptatonic: a seven-tone scale.
    4. Octatonic: an eight-tone scale, and so forth.

    Four-note sequences are called tetrachords (Greek: “four tones”). In this context, they are regarded as constituent components of larger scale patterns.

    Since scales are orderings of whole steps and half steps, these serve as the foundation “building-blocks” for scale construction. As we learn to construct and identify scales, we do so by recognizing their content in terms of tones (whole steps) and semi-tones (half steps).Although tone and semi-toneare proper names, whole step and half step are commonly used terms. In some instances you may encounter the terms whole tone and half tone also. For now, avoid calling whole steps and half steps by any other name, for example, “major-seconds” or “minor–seconds.” Proper interval identification for whole steps and half steps shall be addressed in Chapter 5.

    Throughout the history of music, various systems of referential tuning have evolved, been adopted, been modified, and been discarded in favor of other systems. It is not within the purview of this discussion to examine these various and sundry systems of tuning.An exceptionally clear and concise discussion of the history and theory of tuning systems may be found in Chapters 1 and 2 of Chromaticism: Theory and Practice, Howard Boatwright, Walnut Grove Press, 1994.

    For our purposes, we shall limit the discussion to the standardized tuning system known as equal temperament. Music in the transitional period between the Renaissance and Baroque employed different tuning systems that limited compositional resources. A “compromise” tuning system was proposed and gradually adopted, whereby pitches were slightly altered enabling the division of the octave into twelve equal portions or semi-tones (half steps). This “evenly-tuned,” or “equal-tempered” system allowed composers to employ the full resources of the chromatic collection.This will come into focus in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5.

    Therefore, the source collection for Western music is the Chromatic Scale.The Chromatic Scale, so called because it contains all the pitch “colors,” is also known as the Duodecuple scale (Latin: duo-deca, “two and ten”). It is also labeled the Non-Selective Scale, so-called because, all pitches being of equal quality, no one pitch asserts itself over the others.

    The Chromatic Scale

    75e10e43ded4c8c11449baef8c143fe8.jpg
    Figure 3.1 The Chromatic Scale

    Audio 1

    The Chromatic Scale

    (click to see video)

    The Chromatic Scale is comprised entirely of half steps. When constructing this, it is customary to use sharps when ascending and to use enharmonically equivalent flats when descending.

    Music of the mid-17th Century through end of the 19th Century saw the formulation of a more or less unified system of composition and its supportive theory. A lingua franca of music was established, essentially a common language shared by all musicians. Music of the period (roughly!) from Corelli through Brahms is called the Common Practice Period, or the Common Practice style.

    One of the fundamental attributes of this Common Practice style was the use of two scale types. These two types, Major and Minor were “distilled” from the multiple scale types employed in early music. Major and Minor scales became the predominant resource for Common Practice music. These scale types shall become essential tools for many of the acquired tasks and skill-sets in the study of music. Understanding and recognizing these constructs is a fundamental and necessary attribute of the music student.

    Conclusion

    The student should understand:

    • The definition of scales and scale types.
    • The Foundation (“building-block”) scale steps, tones and semi-tones (whole steps and half steps).
    • The Chromatic Scale.
    • The definition of the Common Practice Period.
    Exercise 1:
    1. Obtain a three-ring binder and fill with staff paper. If you wish, purchase a music manuscript notebook, at least 8.5 x 11. This will become your Scale Thesaurus.
    2. Draw the ascending and descending Chromatic scale. Use half notes. Use the appropriate accidentals and enharmonic equivalents ascending and descending.

    This page titled 3.1: Scales and Scale-Steps is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anonymous via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.