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Do scales need to be in alphabetical order?
What's so special about minor and major scales?When learning scales, is it important to know which key is being pressed when?What are the official modes from Ionian to Locrian?Difference between Modality, Tonality and Chord-naming conventions in a more practical way?In difficult keys, is it really best to think in terms of accidentals?Practicing piano scalesmemorizing scales in playing guitar?Why are scales built sequentially, rather than around the circle of fifths?How to remember and see each major scale degrees when playing a scale not in order?Are Secondary Dominants related to Chord-Scales?
If we take out the sharps and flats, I'm wondering if all scales need to be in alphabetical order in terms of their letters: A,B,C,D,E,F,G where 'A' comes after 'G'.
also..
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Therefore the scales are always in alphabetical order and each note is different. (?)
So the scale of C minor:
C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭
The scale of F# major:
F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, and E#
So if we don't look at the flats then the scales satisfy the above conditions. Is this true for all scales/modes in music? I'm guessing this is some kind of agreed upon convention to make things easier to memorize because it's just alphabetical order at that point. So the only thing we have to memorize is how many sharps or flats are in each scale.
theory scales
|
show 4 more comments
If we take out the sharps and flats, I'm wondering if all scales need to be in alphabetical order in terms of their letters: A,B,C,D,E,F,G where 'A' comes after 'G'.
also..
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Therefore the scales are always in alphabetical order and each note is different. (?)
So the scale of C minor:
C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭
The scale of F# major:
F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, and E#
So if we don't look at the flats then the scales satisfy the above conditions. Is this true for all scales/modes in music? I'm guessing this is some kind of agreed upon convention to make things easier to memorize because it's just alphabetical order at that point. So the only thing we have to memorize is how many sharps or flats are in each scale.
theory scales
Is your question about distinguishing 'scale' from 'mode' or 'key'? Scale like tonleiter (which I understand means 'sound ladder' in German) so a step-wise line versus mode/key an unordered set of pitches?
– Michael Curtis
Apr 3 at 21:18
1
I vtc as the question is based on a false premise, the way it's worded at the moment.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 21:56
1
@Tim what's the issue I can edit it
– foreyez
Apr 3 at 21:56
3
You state that every scale has consecutive letter names. That's not a fact.No repeating notes. Sometimes necessary. No mixed #/b. Look at harmonic minors. There are so many premises the question is based on that don't ring true, that I had to vtc. My answer covers some points.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 22:03
3
Also keep in mind that note "letters" can be different between countries; for example, multiple European countries use H/B instead of B/Bb. This can ruin the alphabetical order.
– molnarm
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
If we take out the sharps and flats, I'm wondering if all scales need to be in alphabetical order in terms of their letters: A,B,C,D,E,F,G where 'A' comes after 'G'.
also..
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Therefore the scales are always in alphabetical order and each note is different. (?)
So the scale of C minor:
C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭
The scale of F# major:
F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, and E#
So if we don't look at the flats then the scales satisfy the above conditions. Is this true for all scales/modes in music? I'm guessing this is some kind of agreed upon convention to make things easier to memorize because it's just alphabetical order at that point. So the only thing we have to memorize is how many sharps or flats are in each scale.
theory scales
If we take out the sharps and flats, I'm wondering if all scales need to be in alphabetical order in terms of their letters: A,B,C,D,E,F,G where 'A' comes after 'G'.
also..
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Therefore the scales are always in alphabetical order and each note is different. (?)
So the scale of C minor:
C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭
The scale of F# major:
F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, and E#
So if we don't look at the flats then the scales satisfy the above conditions. Is this true for all scales/modes in music? I'm guessing this is some kind of agreed upon convention to make things easier to memorize because it's just alphabetical order at that point. So the only thing we have to memorize is how many sharps or flats are in each scale.
theory scales
theory scales
edited Apr 3 at 21:55
foreyez
asked Apr 3 at 19:53
foreyezforeyez
5,31332587
5,31332587
Is your question about distinguishing 'scale' from 'mode' or 'key'? Scale like tonleiter (which I understand means 'sound ladder' in German) so a step-wise line versus mode/key an unordered set of pitches?
– Michael Curtis
Apr 3 at 21:18
1
I vtc as the question is based on a false premise, the way it's worded at the moment.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 21:56
1
@Tim what's the issue I can edit it
– foreyez
Apr 3 at 21:56
3
You state that every scale has consecutive letter names. That's not a fact.No repeating notes. Sometimes necessary. No mixed #/b. Look at harmonic minors. There are so many premises the question is based on that don't ring true, that I had to vtc. My answer covers some points.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 22:03
3
Also keep in mind that note "letters" can be different between countries; for example, multiple European countries use H/B instead of B/Bb. This can ruin the alphabetical order.
– molnarm
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
Is your question about distinguishing 'scale' from 'mode' or 'key'? Scale like tonleiter (which I understand means 'sound ladder' in German) so a step-wise line versus mode/key an unordered set of pitches?
– Michael Curtis
Apr 3 at 21:18
1
I vtc as the question is based on a false premise, the way it's worded at the moment.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 21:56
1
@Tim what's the issue I can edit it
– foreyez
Apr 3 at 21:56
3
You state that every scale has consecutive letter names. That's not a fact.No repeating notes. Sometimes necessary. No mixed #/b. Look at harmonic minors. There are so many premises the question is based on that don't ring true, that I had to vtc. My answer covers some points.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 22:03
3
Also keep in mind that note "letters" can be different between countries; for example, multiple European countries use H/B instead of B/Bb. This can ruin the alphabetical order.
– molnarm
2 days ago
Is your question about distinguishing 'scale' from 'mode' or 'key'? Scale like tonleiter (which I understand means 'sound ladder' in German) so a step-wise line versus mode/key an unordered set of pitches?
– Michael Curtis
Apr 3 at 21:18
Is your question about distinguishing 'scale' from 'mode' or 'key'? Scale like tonleiter (which I understand means 'sound ladder' in German) so a step-wise line versus mode/key an unordered set of pitches?
– Michael Curtis
Apr 3 at 21:18
1
1
I vtc as the question is based on a false premise, the way it's worded at the moment.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 21:56
I vtc as the question is based on a false premise, the way it's worded at the moment.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 21:56
1
1
@Tim what's the issue I can edit it
– foreyez
Apr 3 at 21:56
@Tim what's the issue I can edit it
– foreyez
Apr 3 at 21:56
3
3
You state that every scale has consecutive letter names. That's not a fact.No repeating notes. Sometimes necessary. No mixed #/b. Look at harmonic minors. There are so many premises the question is based on that don't ring true, that I had to vtc. My answer covers some points.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 22:03
You state that every scale has consecutive letter names. That's not a fact.No repeating notes. Sometimes necessary. No mixed #/b. Look at harmonic minors. There are so many premises the question is based on that don't ring true, that I had to vtc. My answer covers some points.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 22:03
3
3
Also keep in mind that note "letters" can be different between countries; for example, multiple European countries use H/B instead of B/Bb. This can ruin the alphabetical order.
– molnarm
2 days ago
Also keep in mind that note "letters" can be different between countries; for example, multiple European countries use H/B instead of B/Bb. This can ruin the alphabetical order.
– molnarm
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
Yes, in traditional Western music theory, but there are a lot of scales/modes outside of traditional Western theory that don't follow this convention.
For instance, the pentatonic, diminished, and whole-tone scales skip certain letters or have multiple notes on some letters.
add a comment |
This is not always the case but would be the case for the most commonly used scales, such as major, minor, and all the standard modes. However, we can quickly find common examples of scales that skip notes, such as a pentatonic scale, where there are only 5 notes, so it wouldn't be possible to use all 7 unique letter names. The whole tone scale only has six notes, so that will also be missing a note. There are also octatonic scales, which have 8 notes, and therefore require repeating a letter name. These octatonic scales also require the use of both sharps and flats a lot times. Then we have the case of the Harmonic and Melodic Minor scales, where you can end up with mixed sharps and flats. We could also consider the chromatic scale but that tends not to be considered in these types of conversations.
So generally speaking, if you are learning or teaching scales, it's good to start with the major and minor scale and introduce their modes. These will all follow the rules you suggested. Eventually, you learn/teach that this is not entirely the case and learn the exceptions. Music theory is very much like this, where you learn a general concept, sometimes thinking of it as a rule, then you learn how that concept or rule is not always accurate or applicable.
1
Also, you don't necessarily have to list the notes in alphabetical order, it just makes it a whole lot easier to conceptualize.
– Basstickler
Apr 3 at 20:13
I would say that a scale does need to be a series of notes in alphabetical order, because the term "scale" literally means "ladder", you go from one step to the next which is similar to the alphabetical order of notes. If you break that order the term "scale" doesn't really apply.
– Lars Peter Schultz
Apr 3 at 23:10
@LarsPeterSchultz I suppose that's true. I'd suggest that in a less formal sense you could think of a scale without thinking of the notes all in order.
– Basstickler
2 days ago
add a comment |
As said many times, a scale is simply a set of notes played in order. Obviously with majors and minors, the plan works. But what about others? pentatonics won't fit that criterion, and certainly chromatic scales just can't.
But if possible, then yes. If only to make writing them out make more sense and be simpler. But something like a blues scale will have to have one repeated letter name. And diminished will be blighted in the same manner.
add a comment |
The word "scale" literally means "ladder" or "climb" - it's from the Latin word scala. So the notes are always going to be in order, and since we use an alphabet for the names of pitches, a scale must have the notes in alphabetical order.
But you're mistaken on the other details:
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
Scales can have more than one of a letter. The blues scale, the chromatic scale, the diminished scale (in either WH or HW form) are just a few examples.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
Scales can skip letters. Pentatonic scales are common, and in either the major or minor form they'll skip two letters.
The scales that do conform to no repeated or skipped notes are diatonic scales, which literally means "through the tones". Some theorists put additional restrictions on what constitutes a diatonic scale, but only one of each letter is a feature under any definition of diatonic.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Some scales do combine flats and sharps. The D harmonic minor is a perfect example: it has both Bb and C#.
Your definitions work for the major scales and their related modes, but they don't work for all the minor scales/modes, and they won't work for any of the other dozens of scales used in music.
Not a criticism of a good answer, but the para. that starts 'scales can skip notes' might be more accurate reading 'skip two of the letters. It could read as there's a gap of two letters.
– Tim
2 days ago
Right you are. I'll edit.
– Tom Serb
2 days ago
add a comment |
What you say is entirely true of how major and minor scales (and the scales in the other standard modes) are notated. It is not true of all scales, though, as several of the other answers have detailed. As an additional wrinkle, the accidentals in harmonic and melodic minor scales are sometimes double sharps, for example D# minor. This is why D# minor is usually written as Eb minor (not in music, where you'll see both, but in scales), since in Eb minor the accidental is a natural (there are two of them in the melodic minor).
Even the humble harmonic minor can mix # and b.
– Tim
2 days ago
add a comment |
Mode is grouped with key. Both being sets of tones in no particular order. A scale is playing a set of tones in ascending or descending pitch order. Don't get hung up on tone naming and ordering by the tone names like alphabetizing the letters. I think the important thing is the scale is ordered by ascending or descending pitch.
Regarding scale/mode/key. I can play in a mode or key without playing scales. Mode/key is just the set. scale means the set ordered asc/desc.
add a comment |
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6 Answers
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6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
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active
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votes
Yes, in traditional Western music theory, but there are a lot of scales/modes outside of traditional Western theory that don't follow this convention.
For instance, the pentatonic, diminished, and whole-tone scales skip certain letters or have multiple notes on some letters.
add a comment |
Yes, in traditional Western music theory, but there are a lot of scales/modes outside of traditional Western theory that don't follow this convention.
For instance, the pentatonic, diminished, and whole-tone scales skip certain letters or have multiple notes on some letters.
add a comment |
Yes, in traditional Western music theory, but there are a lot of scales/modes outside of traditional Western theory that don't follow this convention.
For instance, the pentatonic, diminished, and whole-tone scales skip certain letters or have multiple notes on some letters.
Yes, in traditional Western music theory, but there are a lot of scales/modes outside of traditional Western theory that don't follow this convention.
For instance, the pentatonic, diminished, and whole-tone scales skip certain letters or have multiple notes on some letters.
edited Apr 4 at 2:25
answered Apr 3 at 20:13
PeterPeter
2,916521
2,916521
add a comment |
add a comment |
This is not always the case but would be the case for the most commonly used scales, such as major, minor, and all the standard modes. However, we can quickly find common examples of scales that skip notes, such as a pentatonic scale, where there are only 5 notes, so it wouldn't be possible to use all 7 unique letter names. The whole tone scale only has six notes, so that will also be missing a note. There are also octatonic scales, which have 8 notes, and therefore require repeating a letter name. These octatonic scales also require the use of both sharps and flats a lot times. Then we have the case of the Harmonic and Melodic Minor scales, where you can end up with mixed sharps and flats. We could also consider the chromatic scale but that tends not to be considered in these types of conversations.
So generally speaking, if you are learning or teaching scales, it's good to start with the major and minor scale and introduce their modes. These will all follow the rules you suggested. Eventually, you learn/teach that this is not entirely the case and learn the exceptions. Music theory is very much like this, where you learn a general concept, sometimes thinking of it as a rule, then you learn how that concept or rule is not always accurate or applicable.
1
Also, you don't necessarily have to list the notes in alphabetical order, it just makes it a whole lot easier to conceptualize.
– Basstickler
Apr 3 at 20:13
I would say that a scale does need to be a series of notes in alphabetical order, because the term "scale" literally means "ladder", you go from one step to the next which is similar to the alphabetical order of notes. If you break that order the term "scale" doesn't really apply.
– Lars Peter Schultz
Apr 3 at 23:10
@LarsPeterSchultz I suppose that's true. I'd suggest that in a less formal sense you could think of a scale without thinking of the notes all in order.
– Basstickler
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is not always the case but would be the case for the most commonly used scales, such as major, minor, and all the standard modes. However, we can quickly find common examples of scales that skip notes, such as a pentatonic scale, where there are only 5 notes, so it wouldn't be possible to use all 7 unique letter names. The whole tone scale only has six notes, so that will also be missing a note. There are also octatonic scales, which have 8 notes, and therefore require repeating a letter name. These octatonic scales also require the use of both sharps and flats a lot times. Then we have the case of the Harmonic and Melodic Minor scales, where you can end up with mixed sharps and flats. We could also consider the chromatic scale but that tends not to be considered in these types of conversations.
So generally speaking, if you are learning or teaching scales, it's good to start with the major and minor scale and introduce their modes. These will all follow the rules you suggested. Eventually, you learn/teach that this is not entirely the case and learn the exceptions. Music theory is very much like this, where you learn a general concept, sometimes thinking of it as a rule, then you learn how that concept or rule is not always accurate or applicable.
1
Also, you don't necessarily have to list the notes in alphabetical order, it just makes it a whole lot easier to conceptualize.
– Basstickler
Apr 3 at 20:13
I would say that a scale does need to be a series of notes in alphabetical order, because the term "scale" literally means "ladder", you go from one step to the next which is similar to the alphabetical order of notes. If you break that order the term "scale" doesn't really apply.
– Lars Peter Schultz
Apr 3 at 23:10
@LarsPeterSchultz I suppose that's true. I'd suggest that in a less formal sense you could think of a scale without thinking of the notes all in order.
– Basstickler
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is not always the case but would be the case for the most commonly used scales, such as major, minor, and all the standard modes. However, we can quickly find common examples of scales that skip notes, such as a pentatonic scale, where there are only 5 notes, so it wouldn't be possible to use all 7 unique letter names. The whole tone scale only has six notes, so that will also be missing a note. There are also octatonic scales, which have 8 notes, and therefore require repeating a letter name. These octatonic scales also require the use of both sharps and flats a lot times. Then we have the case of the Harmonic and Melodic Minor scales, where you can end up with mixed sharps and flats. We could also consider the chromatic scale but that tends not to be considered in these types of conversations.
So generally speaking, if you are learning or teaching scales, it's good to start with the major and minor scale and introduce their modes. These will all follow the rules you suggested. Eventually, you learn/teach that this is not entirely the case and learn the exceptions. Music theory is very much like this, where you learn a general concept, sometimes thinking of it as a rule, then you learn how that concept or rule is not always accurate or applicable.
This is not always the case but would be the case for the most commonly used scales, such as major, minor, and all the standard modes. However, we can quickly find common examples of scales that skip notes, such as a pentatonic scale, where there are only 5 notes, so it wouldn't be possible to use all 7 unique letter names. The whole tone scale only has six notes, so that will also be missing a note. There are also octatonic scales, which have 8 notes, and therefore require repeating a letter name. These octatonic scales also require the use of both sharps and flats a lot times. Then we have the case of the Harmonic and Melodic Minor scales, where you can end up with mixed sharps and flats. We could also consider the chromatic scale but that tends not to be considered in these types of conversations.
So generally speaking, if you are learning or teaching scales, it's good to start with the major and minor scale and introduce their modes. These will all follow the rules you suggested. Eventually, you learn/teach that this is not entirely the case and learn the exceptions. Music theory is very much like this, where you learn a general concept, sometimes thinking of it as a rule, then you learn how that concept or rule is not always accurate or applicable.
answered Apr 3 at 20:12
BassticklerBasstickler
6,2891036
6,2891036
1
Also, you don't necessarily have to list the notes in alphabetical order, it just makes it a whole lot easier to conceptualize.
– Basstickler
Apr 3 at 20:13
I would say that a scale does need to be a series of notes in alphabetical order, because the term "scale" literally means "ladder", you go from one step to the next which is similar to the alphabetical order of notes. If you break that order the term "scale" doesn't really apply.
– Lars Peter Schultz
Apr 3 at 23:10
@LarsPeterSchultz I suppose that's true. I'd suggest that in a less formal sense you could think of a scale without thinking of the notes all in order.
– Basstickler
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
Also, you don't necessarily have to list the notes in alphabetical order, it just makes it a whole lot easier to conceptualize.
– Basstickler
Apr 3 at 20:13
I would say that a scale does need to be a series of notes in alphabetical order, because the term "scale" literally means "ladder", you go from one step to the next which is similar to the alphabetical order of notes. If you break that order the term "scale" doesn't really apply.
– Lars Peter Schultz
Apr 3 at 23:10
@LarsPeterSchultz I suppose that's true. I'd suggest that in a less formal sense you could think of a scale without thinking of the notes all in order.
– Basstickler
2 days ago
1
1
Also, you don't necessarily have to list the notes in alphabetical order, it just makes it a whole lot easier to conceptualize.
– Basstickler
Apr 3 at 20:13
Also, you don't necessarily have to list the notes in alphabetical order, it just makes it a whole lot easier to conceptualize.
– Basstickler
Apr 3 at 20:13
I would say that a scale does need to be a series of notes in alphabetical order, because the term "scale" literally means "ladder", you go from one step to the next which is similar to the alphabetical order of notes. If you break that order the term "scale" doesn't really apply.
– Lars Peter Schultz
Apr 3 at 23:10
I would say that a scale does need to be a series of notes in alphabetical order, because the term "scale" literally means "ladder", you go from one step to the next which is similar to the alphabetical order of notes. If you break that order the term "scale" doesn't really apply.
– Lars Peter Schultz
Apr 3 at 23:10
@LarsPeterSchultz I suppose that's true. I'd suggest that in a less formal sense you could think of a scale without thinking of the notes all in order.
– Basstickler
2 days ago
@LarsPeterSchultz I suppose that's true. I'd suggest that in a less formal sense you could think of a scale without thinking of the notes all in order.
– Basstickler
2 days ago
add a comment |
As said many times, a scale is simply a set of notes played in order. Obviously with majors and minors, the plan works. But what about others? pentatonics won't fit that criterion, and certainly chromatic scales just can't.
But if possible, then yes. If only to make writing them out make more sense and be simpler. But something like a blues scale will have to have one repeated letter name. And diminished will be blighted in the same manner.
add a comment |
As said many times, a scale is simply a set of notes played in order. Obviously with majors and minors, the plan works. But what about others? pentatonics won't fit that criterion, and certainly chromatic scales just can't.
But if possible, then yes. If only to make writing them out make more sense and be simpler. But something like a blues scale will have to have one repeated letter name. And diminished will be blighted in the same manner.
add a comment |
As said many times, a scale is simply a set of notes played in order. Obviously with majors and minors, the plan works. But what about others? pentatonics won't fit that criterion, and certainly chromatic scales just can't.
But if possible, then yes. If only to make writing them out make more sense and be simpler. But something like a blues scale will have to have one repeated letter name. And diminished will be blighted in the same manner.
As said many times, a scale is simply a set of notes played in order. Obviously with majors and minors, the plan works. But what about others? pentatonics won't fit that criterion, and certainly chromatic scales just can't.
But if possible, then yes. If only to make writing them out make more sense and be simpler. But something like a blues scale will have to have one repeated letter name. And diminished will be blighted in the same manner.
answered Apr 3 at 21:53
TimTim
104k10107264
104k10107264
add a comment |
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The word "scale" literally means "ladder" or "climb" - it's from the Latin word scala. So the notes are always going to be in order, and since we use an alphabet for the names of pitches, a scale must have the notes in alphabetical order.
But you're mistaken on the other details:
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
Scales can have more than one of a letter. The blues scale, the chromatic scale, the diminished scale (in either WH or HW form) are just a few examples.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
Scales can skip letters. Pentatonic scales are common, and in either the major or minor form they'll skip two letters.
The scales that do conform to no repeated or skipped notes are diatonic scales, which literally means "through the tones". Some theorists put additional restrictions on what constitutes a diatonic scale, but only one of each letter is a feature under any definition of diatonic.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Some scales do combine flats and sharps. The D harmonic minor is a perfect example: it has both Bb and C#.
Your definitions work for the major scales and their related modes, but they don't work for all the minor scales/modes, and they won't work for any of the other dozens of scales used in music.
Not a criticism of a good answer, but the para. that starts 'scales can skip notes' might be more accurate reading 'skip two of the letters. It could read as there's a gap of two letters.
– Tim
2 days ago
Right you are. I'll edit.
– Tom Serb
2 days ago
add a comment |
The word "scale" literally means "ladder" or "climb" - it's from the Latin word scala. So the notes are always going to be in order, and since we use an alphabet for the names of pitches, a scale must have the notes in alphabetical order.
But you're mistaken on the other details:
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
Scales can have more than one of a letter. The blues scale, the chromatic scale, the diminished scale (in either WH or HW form) are just a few examples.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
Scales can skip letters. Pentatonic scales are common, and in either the major or minor form they'll skip two letters.
The scales that do conform to no repeated or skipped notes are diatonic scales, which literally means "through the tones". Some theorists put additional restrictions on what constitutes a diatonic scale, but only one of each letter is a feature under any definition of diatonic.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Some scales do combine flats and sharps. The D harmonic minor is a perfect example: it has both Bb and C#.
Your definitions work for the major scales and their related modes, but they don't work for all the minor scales/modes, and they won't work for any of the other dozens of scales used in music.
Not a criticism of a good answer, but the para. that starts 'scales can skip notes' might be more accurate reading 'skip two of the letters. It could read as there's a gap of two letters.
– Tim
2 days ago
Right you are. I'll edit.
– Tom Serb
2 days ago
add a comment |
The word "scale" literally means "ladder" or "climb" - it's from the Latin word scala. So the notes are always going to be in order, and since we use an alphabet for the names of pitches, a scale must have the notes in alphabetical order.
But you're mistaken on the other details:
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
Scales can have more than one of a letter. The blues scale, the chromatic scale, the diminished scale (in either WH or HW form) are just a few examples.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
Scales can skip letters. Pentatonic scales are common, and in either the major or minor form they'll skip two letters.
The scales that do conform to no repeated or skipped notes are diatonic scales, which literally means "through the tones". Some theorists put additional restrictions on what constitutes a diatonic scale, but only one of each letter is a feature under any definition of diatonic.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Some scales do combine flats and sharps. The D harmonic minor is a perfect example: it has both Bb and C#.
Your definitions work for the major scales and their related modes, but they don't work for all the minor scales/modes, and they won't work for any of the other dozens of scales used in music.
The word "scale" literally means "ladder" or "climb" - it's from the Latin word scala. So the notes are always going to be in order, and since we use an alphabet for the names of pitches, a scale must have the notes in alphabetical order.
But you're mistaken on the other details:
no repeating notes: A,A#,B,C,D,E, etc.
Scales can have more than one of a letter. The blues scale, the chromatic scale, the diminished scale (in either WH or HW form) are just a few examples.
no skipping notes: A,C,D,E,etc.
Scales can skip letters. Pentatonic scales are common, and in either the major or minor form they'll skip two letters.
The scales that do conform to no repeated or skipped notes are diatonic scales, which literally means "through the tones". Some theorists put additional restrictions on what constitutes a diatonic scale, but only one of each letter is a feature under any definition of diatonic.
no combining flats and sharps: A,B♭,C#,etc.
Some scales do combine flats and sharps. The D harmonic minor is a perfect example: it has both Bb and C#.
Your definitions work for the major scales and their related modes, but they don't work for all the minor scales/modes, and they won't work for any of the other dozens of scales used in music.
edited 2 days ago
answered Apr 4 at 3:18
Tom SerbTom Serb
1,237110
1,237110
Not a criticism of a good answer, but the para. that starts 'scales can skip notes' might be more accurate reading 'skip two of the letters. It could read as there's a gap of two letters.
– Tim
2 days ago
Right you are. I'll edit.
– Tom Serb
2 days ago
add a comment |
Not a criticism of a good answer, but the para. that starts 'scales can skip notes' might be more accurate reading 'skip two of the letters. It could read as there's a gap of two letters.
– Tim
2 days ago
Right you are. I'll edit.
– Tom Serb
2 days ago
Not a criticism of a good answer, but the para. that starts 'scales can skip notes' might be more accurate reading 'skip two of the letters. It could read as there's a gap of two letters.
– Tim
2 days ago
Not a criticism of a good answer, but the para. that starts 'scales can skip notes' might be more accurate reading 'skip two of the letters. It could read as there's a gap of two letters.
– Tim
2 days ago
Right you are. I'll edit.
– Tom Serb
2 days ago
Right you are. I'll edit.
– Tom Serb
2 days ago
add a comment |
What you say is entirely true of how major and minor scales (and the scales in the other standard modes) are notated. It is not true of all scales, though, as several of the other answers have detailed. As an additional wrinkle, the accidentals in harmonic and melodic minor scales are sometimes double sharps, for example D# minor. This is why D# minor is usually written as Eb minor (not in music, where you'll see both, but in scales), since in Eb minor the accidental is a natural (there are two of them in the melodic minor).
Even the humble harmonic minor can mix # and b.
– Tim
2 days ago
add a comment |
What you say is entirely true of how major and minor scales (and the scales in the other standard modes) are notated. It is not true of all scales, though, as several of the other answers have detailed. As an additional wrinkle, the accidentals in harmonic and melodic minor scales are sometimes double sharps, for example D# minor. This is why D# minor is usually written as Eb minor (not in music, where you'll see both, but in scales), since in Eb minor the accidental is a natural (there are two of them in the melodic minor).
Even the humble harmonic minor can mix # and b.
– Tim
2 days ago
add a comment |
What you say is entirely true of how major and minor scales (and the scales in the other standard modes) are notated. It is not true of all scales, though, as several of the other answers have detailed. As an additional wrinkle, the accidentals in harmonic and melodic minor scales are sometimes double sharps, for example D# minor. This is why D# minor is usually written as Eb minor (not in music, where you'll see both, but in scales), since in Eb minor the accidental is a natural (there are two of them in the melodic minor).
What you say is entirely true of how major and minor scales (and the scales in the other standard modes) are notated. It is not true of all scales, though, as several of the other answers have detailed. As an additional wrinkle, the accidentals in harmonic and melodic minor scales are sometimes double sharps, for example D# minor. This is why D# minor is usually written as Eb minor (not in music, where you'll see both, but in scales), since in Eb minor the accidental is a natural (there are two of them in the melodic minor).
answered Apr 4 at 4:41
BobRodesBobRodes
7,6021837
7,6021837
Even the humble harmonic minor can mix # and b.
– Tim
2 days ago
add a comment |
Even the humble harmonic minor can mix # and b.
– Tim
2 days ago
Even the humble harmonic minor can mix # and b.
– Tim
2 days ago
Even the humble harmonic minor can mix # and b.
– Tim
2 days ago
add a comment |
Mode is grouped with key. Both being sets of tones in no particular order. A scale is playing a set of tones in ascending or descending pitch order. Don't get hung up on tone naming and ordering by the tone names like alphabetizing the letters. I think the important thing is the scale is ordered by ascending or descending pitch.
Regarding scale/mode/key. I can play in a mode or key without playing scales. Mode/key is just the set. scale means the set ordered asc/desc.
add a comment |
Mode is grouped with key. Both being sets of tones in no particular order. A scale is playing a set of tones in ascending or descending pitch order. Don't get hung up on tone naming and ordering by the tone names like alphabetizing the letters. I think the important thing is the scale is ordered by ascending or descending pitch.
Regarding scale/mode/key. I can play in a mode or key without playing scales. Mode/key is just the set. scale means the set ordered asc/desc.
add a comment |
Mode is grouped with key. Both being sets of tones in no particular order. A scale is playing a set of tones in ascending or descending pitch order. Don't get hung up on tone naming and ordering by the tone names like alphabetizing the letters. I think the important thing is the scale is ordered by ascending or descending pitch.
Regarding scale/mode/key. I can play in a mode or key without playing scales. Mode/key is just the set. scale means the set ordered asc/desc.
Mode is grouped with key. Both being sets of tones in no particular order. A scale is playing a set of tones in ascending or descending pitch order. Don't get hung up on tone naming and ordering by the tone names like alphabetizing the letters. I think the important thing is the scale is ordered by ascending or descending pitch.
Regarding scale/mode/key. I can play in a mode or key without playing scales. Mode/key is just the set. scale means the set ordered asc/desc.
answered 2 days ago
Michael CurtisMichael Curtis
11.4k742
11.4k742
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Is your question about distinguishing 'scale' from 'mode' or 'key'? Scale like tonleiter (which I understand means 'sound ladder' in German) so a step-wise line versus mode/key an unordered set of pitches?
– Michael Curtis
Apr 3 at 21:18
1
I vtc as the question is based on a false premise, the way it's worded at the moment.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 21:56
1
@Tim what's the issue I can edit it
– foreyez
Apr 3 at 21:56
3
You state that every scale has consecutive letter names. That's not a fact.No repeating notes. Sometimes necessary. No mixed #/b. Look at harmonic minors. There are so many premises the question is based on that don't ring true, that I had to vtc. My answer covers some points.
– Tim
Apr 3 at 22:03
3
Also keep in mind that note "letters" can be different between countries; for example, multiple European countries use H/B instead of B/Bb. This can ruin the alphabetical order.
– molnarm
2 days ago