Scales

A scale is a series of pitches that follows a specific pattern. There are many types of scales, but those most commonly used in tonal music are the major and minor scales. The major scale consists of the following pattern of whole steps and half steps: W, W, H, W, W, W, H. Notice that this produces eight, not seven pitches. The reason is that the scale returns to the pitch class on which it started. This resolves the tension caused by the seventh note and creates a complete, eight-note scale. The distance from the starting pitch to the ending, or eighth, pitch is called an octave.

The minor scale has three forms: natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. The pattern for natural minor is: W, H, W, W, H, W, W. The pattern for harmonic minor is: W, H, W, W, H, W+H, H.

Melodic minor has a different pattern for the ascent and the descent. The ascent is: W, H, W, W, W, W, H and the descent is: W, W, H, W, W, H, W. Notice that the descent of the melodic minor scale is exactly the same as natural minor and that the ascent is the same as major except for the third note. The reason for the distinct difference in the patterns for harmonic and melodic minor has to do with harmonic function, voice leading, and other topics to be explained later.

To write a scale, follow these steps:

1. Select a starting pitch and duplicate that pitch one octave higher. For melodic minor, write the starting pitch again in the original octave making room to ascend and descend.
2. Fill in all the noteheads between these two pitches. Be sure to use alternating lines and spaces; a scale will never use the same letter name more than once.
3. Using the pattern for the desired scale as a guide, add any necessary accidentals to the noteheads.

Each note of a scale has a specific name and number. The number is called a scale degree and is written as a number with a caret above it. The name of each scale degree is important for describing harmonic function and voice leading.

• Tonic = ^1
  The name of the scale/key is the same as the tonic (i.e., the tonic of example 2.5 is C) and functionally the most important scale degree.
• Supertonic = ^2
  Supertonic means “above” the tonic.
• Mediant = ^3
  Mediant means “middle.” It is the middle pitch between the tonic and dominant.
• Subdominant = ^4
  Subdominant means “below” the dominant.
• Dominant = ^5
  The dominant is functionally the second most important scale degree.
• Submediant = ^6
  Submediant means between the tonic and subdominant. (The submediant is two steps below the tonic, the mediant is two steps above the tonic.)
• Leading Tone = ^7
  The tension caused by the seventh scale degree is relieved when it is resolved to the tonic.