Music Theory

A major scale is a diatonic scale consisting of seven notes following the interval pattern: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). It is the most commonly used scale in Western music and serves as the foundation for understanding keys, chords, and harmony.

The C major scale consists of C, D, E, F, G, A, B. It is the only major scale that uses no sharps or flats, making it the simplest major scale to play on a piano using only white keys.

A natural minor scale follows the interval pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W. Compared to the major scale, it has a lowered 3rd, 6th, and 7th degree, which gives it a darker, more melancholic sound.

The harmonic minor scale raises the 7th degree of the natural minor scale by a half step. This creates an augmented second interval between the 6th and 7th degrees and provides a leading tone that resolves strongly to the tonic.

The ascending melodic minor scale raises both the 6th and 7th degrees of the natural minor scale by a half step. In classical theory, the descending form reverts to the natural minor. This eliminates the awkward augmented second found in the harmonic minor.

A pentatonic scale contains five notes per octave. The major pentatonic uses scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, while the minor pentatonic uses 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7. Pentatonic scales are found in music traditions worldwide.

The A minor pentatonic scale consists of A, C, D, E, G. It is one of the most widely used scales in rock, blues, and pop guitar playing.

The blues scale is a minor pentatonic scale with an added ♭5 (blue note). In the key of A, the notes are A, C, D, E♭, E, G. The chromatic passing tone gives it the characteristic "bluesy" sound.

A whole tone scale consists of six notes, each separated by a whole step (e.g., C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯). It has a dreamy, ambiguous quality because it lacks half steps and has no strong pull toward a tonal center. There are only two unique whole tone scales.

A chromatic scale includes all twelve pitches within an octave, each a half step apart. It is not associated with any particular key and is used for chromatic runs, ornamentation, and atonal music.

The G major scale has one sharp: F♯. Its notes are G, A, B, C, D, E, F♯. It is the first scale in the order of sharps on the circle of fifths.

The major pentatonic scale follows the interval pattern W-W-m3-W-m3 (whole, whole, minor 3rd, whole, minor 3rd). It omits the 4th and 7th degrees of the major scale, removing all half steps and creating a consonant, open sound.