Major scale Degrees :: StringQuest

Posted by Adam Crane on

THE MAJOR SCALE

The most common mode is the Ionian mode, which is named the Major Scale.

Remember, scales can be built on any note and that scale degrees 1 and 8 share the same letter name.

You already know that scale degrees 1 and 8 are called the Tonic.

All scale degrees have names that serve as labels and are listed below.

Music theory involves the relation of pitch function, which has determined the names of each scale degree.

Now let’s build a D Major Scale, where the Tonic is the pitch D.

Posted by Adam Crane on

Every scale-degree relates to one another by specific intervals.

In the picture below, the numbered scale-degrees show the most common interval pattern, called the MAJOR SCALE

Scales have specifically spaced interval steps.

Areas shaded Yellow represent Whole Steps.

Areas shaded Red represent Half Steps.

Before we learn more about octave scales and study scale-degrees in detail, Scroll will teach us about interval proportions and sound theories.

You will then be ready to build scales!