Introduction
Scale Types
Scale Modes
Instructions
In music theory, a scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch. They can be acsending (increasing in pitch) or descending (decreasing in pitch).
Most scales are octave repeating, this means that the pattern of notes are the same at any octave.
There are many different types of scales, each defined by the number of notes per octave.
12 notes per octave
Also know as dodecatonic.
8 notes per octave
Mostly used in jazz and modern classical music.
7 notes per octave
The most common modern western scale.
6 notes per octave
Common in western folk music.
5 notes per octave
Common in folk music, especially in Asian music. Also known as the "black note" scale.
4 notes per octave
3 notes per octave
2 notes per octave
Are all generally limited to prehestoric primative music.
1 notes per octave
Limited use in religious worship and for effect in modern art music.
Aswell as having different types of scales, we can have different modes of scales. Each mode is defined by the rotation of intervals. Intervals are split into two types, whole steps and half steps.
A whole step is an increase in two notes i.e. C to D or E to F#. These are noted as a "w".
A half step is an increase in one note i.e. C to C# or E to F. These are noted as a "h".
The interval pattern of a major scale is WWHWWWH. The major scale is also refered to as the Ionian mode. We can rotate this mode to create the Dorian mode WHWWWHW.
As you can see by rotating this scale by 1 place we've gone from
WWHWWWH
to
WHWWWHW
Here are the all the modes:
WWHWWWH
Serious, happy and, taming the passions.
WHWWWHW
Sad, serious and, tearful.
HWWWHWW
Mystic, vehement and, inciting anger.
WWWHWWH
Harmonious, tender, inciting delights and, tempering fierceness.
WWHWWHW
Happy.
WHWWHWW
Devout, pious and tearful.
HWWHWWW
Angelical, of youth and, uniting pleasure and sadness.
Experement below with the preset scales provided.