Category: Scales

  • Parallel Scale Number Patterns

    Major (Ionian) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lydian 1 2 3 ↑4 5 6 7 Mixolydian (Dominant) 1 2 3 4 5 6 ↓7 Dorian 1 2 ↓3 4 5 6 ↓7 Natural Minor (Aeolian) 1 2 ↓3 4 5 ↓6 ↓7 Harmonic Minor 1 2 ↓3 4 5 ↓6 7 Melodic Minor…

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  • Modes

    Overview Pope Gregory “the Great” Collector of sacred chants “Gregorian” chant Modes are scales, but not all scales are modes. A mode tonicizes a note other than the tonic. Modes of Major Modes of major are named after Ancient Greek city states: 1st mode: Ionian 2nd mode: Dorian 3rd mode: Phrygian 4th mode: Lydian 5th mode:…

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  • Major Scales

    Construction Using Tetrachords Combine two major tetrachords that begin a P5 apart: Spelling on Seconds Memorize the pattern of seconds in major and use a piano keyboard: Use the Circle of Fourths Complementary Scales Complementary scales start on the same letter, but have opposing accidentals. Using the following chart makes it so that one only has…

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  • The Circle of Fourths

    Circle of Fourths Represents the possible tonics of all major keys using only naturals, sharps, and flats 12 spokes Travelling clockwise, each spoke is a P4 above the previous “C” is at the top Three enharmonic keys exist at the bottom of the circle Construction Using the Circle of Fourths Closely Related Keys Keys most…

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  • Minor

    Minor vs. Major Every major scale has a relative minor that begins on the 6th scale degree. Note that minor keys are represented by lower case letters. “Minor” is not the same thing as Aeolian mode. There is different chromatic content and a different “sound.” Parallel 9-Tone Minor 13 Triads Produced Minor offers many more…

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  • Theory 103 Notes from Fall 2017

    These will eventually be built into the site. For now, following the links to download pdfs:

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  • Jazz Monster Chart

    Blank worksheet for diagramming common jazz scales in grade 1-3 music Useful for memorizing scales for improvisation. (click on the link to view the chart in .pdf format)

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  • 15 Major Scales Chart

    Blank chart for use in the band classroom or in private lessons. Scales are ordered in fourths. Less-common enharmonic scales are shaded. Connects scale degree numbers, solfege, and key signatures. Includes directions on how to use the chart to transpose (Click on the image to open the file in .pdf format)

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