Chapter 3

The Foundations Scale-Steps and Scales

Introduction

In this chapter, we shall examine the small incremental distances called

Tones

and

Semi-tones

. More commonly labeled

whole steps

1

and

half steps

2

, these foundation

scale-steps serve as the building materials from which we construct sequential
orderings of pitches called

scales

3

.

The construction of various scales shall also be examined, especially the Major Scale
and the Minor Scale. Additionally, other important scale patterns will be shown.

1. Adjacent scale steps that have

an intervening half step.

2. Adjacent tones, the smallest

distance between tones in the
current system of tuning.

3. A sequential collection of five

or more pitches.

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