B) MELODIC MINOR SCALE The melodic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale in that it has a raised 6th and a raised 7th note. So the step pattern is therefore: So, in the key of A, we get: tone semitone tone tone tone (#6th) semitone (#7th) tone A ^ B ^ C ^ D ^ E ^ F# ^ G# ^ A Frets: 2 … Read More
C) HARMONIC MINOR SCALE The harmonic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale in that it has a raised 7th note. This gives it a kind of Eastern or Arabic sound. The step pattern is therefore: So, in the key of A, we get: tone semitone tone tone semitone 1+1/2tone (#7th) semitone A ^ B ^ C ^ D ^ E ^ F … Read More
G (NATURAL) MINOR SCALE IN THIRDS (ASCENDING) Also try this descending. Listen: G (NATURAL) MINOR SCALE IN FOURTHS (ASCENDING) Also try this descending. Listen: G (NATURAL) MINOR SCALE IN FIFTHS (ASCENDING) Also try this descending. Listen: ‘GREENSLEEVES’ USING THE G MELODIC MINOR SCALE Listen:
There is a wide range of other scales around, all of which have different sounds and different applications. Here are a few of the more popular ones: THE PENTATONIC SCALE As the name suggests, this scale contains only five notes, and is used extensively in blues and rock music. It is a strong, powerful sounding scale and is great for … Read More
G MAJOR PENTATONIC ALTERNATE NOTES Also try this descending. Listen: G MINOR PENTATONIC ALTERNATE NOTES Also try this descending. Listen: G MAJOR PENTATONIC RUN Also try this descending. Listen: G MINOR PENTATONIC RUN Listen:
As the name implies, this scale is a scale based entirely on whole-tone intervals. So all notes in this scale will have an interval of 1 tone between them. So, in the key of A, we will get the following notes: tone tone tone tone tone tone A ^ B ^ C# ^ D# ^ F ^ G ^ A Frets: 2 2 2 … Read More
The diminished scale contains a flat 3rd note (minor 3rd), a flat 5th note, and a double flat 7th note (compared to the major scale), so the step pattern is: tone semitone (b3rd) tone semitone (b5th) tone semitone (bb7th) 1+1/2tone A ^ B ^ C ^ D ^ Eb ^ F ^ Gb ^ A Frets: 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 Step Pattern … Read More
Modes are early forms of scales which were invented by the ancient Greeks before the major scale had been established. They are still used today to add slightly different tonal qualities to a piece of music, in preference to the constant use of the major scale. However, modes contain all the same notes of the major scale. Let’s explain: If … Read More
A) IONIAN MODE Fingering and root note is the same as for the major scale. Listen (Ionian Mode starting on A): B) DORIAN MODE Root note is 2nd note of major scale. Listen (Dorian Mode starting on A): C) PHRYGIAN MODE Root note is 3rd note of major scale. Listen (Phrygian Mode starting on A): D) LYDIAN MODE Root note is 4th note … Read More
When talking about a set of chords in a key, we label each chord with a roman numeral (I to VII). There are seven chords in all, one built on each note of the scale: The chord C Major will appear as: Notes: I chord in the key of C Major (IONIAN) C – D – E – F – … Read More
