3.2 Heptatonic Scales: The Major Scale, The Three Forms of the Minor
Scale
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
1. The Major scale and its attributes.
2. The Minor scale and its attributes.
3. Relative and Parallel Major/Minor.
4. Scale degree nomenclature.
5. The evolution of Minor scales: the three forms of the Minor scale
Any initial discussion of scales inevitably centers around these two seven-tone
scales employed in the composition of Common Practice music.
The Major Scale
The most common scale pattern used is the
Major Scale
7
. It is an arrangement of
whole and half steps as follows:
ˆ
ˆ
ˆ
ˆ
ˆ
ˆ
ˆ
ˆ
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
W
W
H
W
W
W
H
Note that half steps occur between scale degrees 3–4 and 7–8. This is shown in
pitches and the keyboard in
Figure 3.2 "Major Scale, Keyboard and Pitches"
Figure 3.2
Major Scale, Keyboard and Pitches
7. A heptatonic (“seven-tone”)
scale consisting of the
following arrangement: W-W-
H-W-W-W-H.
Chapter 3 The Foundations Scale-Steps and Scales
91
