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music theory— the scales cont. |
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If you start on C and play only the NATURAL notes until you reach the octave, you will arrive at the notes of the C MAJOR SCALE:
C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C
Now, if we look at the whole-steps and half-steps between each note of the C MAJOR SCALE, we find this pattern:
W - W - H - W - W - W - H
This pattern of whole-steps and half-steps is the single most important part of understanding music theory. Every major scale in every key follows this w/h pattern.
F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F
For example, if we start on G and apply the pattern, we get the notes of the G Major scale:
G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
The note that you start with is called the ROOT NOTE. The root note defines what is called KEY.
When someone asks, "What key is this song in?", they are asking about the root note of the scale that the song is based upon.
So, the major scale in the key of F is constructed by starting on F and following the w/h pattern:
F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F
That's all there is to it! Start on a root note and follow the w/h pattern. You are now the proud owner of a major scale. |
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to be continued > |
