Scales

A scale is a set of notes played or sung in order, going up or down. To create a piece of music, composers use only the notes of a particular scale.

The most common scales in western music are diatonic scales. Diatonic scales have five full tones and two semitones. The most important notes are the tonic (first note) and the dominant (fifth note).

There are two types of diatonic scales

Major. Scale model is C major (below and above). Major scales sound bright and cheery.

Minor. Scale model is A minor. Minor scales sound a bit sad.

Listen to «Pop goes the weasel»

Now, listen to the minor version