Scales Flashcards
Ionian
Musical mode or diatonic scale is also called the major scale. It is the name assigned by Heinrich Glarean in 1547 to his new authentic mode on C, which uses the diatonic octave species from C to the C an octave higher, divided at G into a fourth species of perfect fifth plus a third species of perfect fourth: C D E F G + G A B C. This octave species is essentially the same as the major mode of tonal music.
Dorian
The Dorian mode, sometimes called the Doric mode, is the second of seven modes of the major scale. If you were to play all the notes from C major but starting on D you would have played D Dorian scale. It uses the formula of semitones and tones: W - H - W - W - W - H - W. The Dorian scale is a type of minor mode which means that the 3rd note of the scale is lowered by a half step. It also has a flattened 7th note.
Phrygian
The Phrygian mode is the third mode of the major scale. It’s named after the ancient greek kingdom of Phrygia who was around over 3,000 years ago. To ply an E Phyrigian scale all you have to do is play all the notes of C major but starting on E. The Phrygian mode uses the formula of semitones and tones: H - W - W - W - H - W - W. Even though the Phyrigian scale is a mode of a major scale, it’s actually a type of minor scale. This is because the 3rd note is an interval of a minor 3rd above the tonic. It also has a minor 6th, 7th, and a minor 2nd.
Lydian
The Lydian mode is the 4th mode of the major scale. It’s named after the region of Lydia next to what was Ancient Greece over 3,000 years ago. It is very similar to the Ionian mode (the major scale) but has the 4th note of its scale raised by a semitone giving it a very bright sound. It has a raised 4th (by a semitone) which is an augmented 4th. Because the first four notes are intervals of a tone apart it sounds quite similar to the whole tone scale (which is made up entirely of tones).
Mixolydian
The Mixolydian mode is also sometimes referred to as a dominant scale because the 5th degree of the major scale is called the dominant. The Mixolydian is very similar to the Ionian except it has its 7th note lowered by a half step (semitone). It’s also a type of major mode because the third note of the scale is a major interval. The scale degrees of the Mixolydian mode: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7.
Aeolian
The Aeolian is the second most popular mode used in popular music and in classical music. In the case of C major, that note is A, so you often hear it called the A Aeolian mode. It has the same notes as the natural minor scale. The Aeolian mode is a minor mode, which means the 3rd scale degree is lowered by a semitone to become a minor 3rd.
Locrian
Probably the least popular mode in music. In C major, the Locrian mode starts on note B, and because of this, it is often referred to as the B Locrian mode. The Locrian mode is one of the four minor modes, which means the 3rd scale degree is one semitone lower than the 3rd of the major scale. The Locrian mode is the closest in similarities to the Phrygian mode, which also has a lowered (minor) 2nd, but it is even more minor because it also has a lowered (diminished) 5th scale degree. This is the only mode with a diminished 5th.
Melodic Minor Scale
Use different notes when ascending and descending. The ascending melodic minors use this combination of tones: T-S-T-T-T-T-S but on the way down they use this combination: T-T-S-T-T-S-T. As it ascends, it is similar to the natural minor but has the 6th and 7th notes of the scales raised by one semitone. For example, A-B-C-D-E-F#-G#-A. When descending the 6th and 7th notes are lowered by one semitone. For Example, A-G-F-E-D-C-B-A. They are exactly the same as the natural minor scale.
Harmonic Minor Scale
Harmonic minor use this combination of tones and semitones: T-S-T-T-S-T1/2-S. The harmonic minors have an interval that is a tone and a half or three semitones. For example, starting on A, A-B-C-D-E-F-G#-A. The only difference between the natural minor and the harmonic minor is that the 7th degree of the scale is one semitone higher.
Natural Minor Scale
A natural minor scale uses this formula of tones and semitones: T-S-T-T-S-T-T. If we wanted to play a natural minor scale on note A, we would play all the white notes on the keyboard (the same as the C Major scale). The natural minor scale is also known as the Aeolian mode.
Whole tone Scale:
A whole tone scale is a hexatonic scale which means that is uses only six notes. It is made up entirely of whole step intervals. The whole tone built on C would be C-D-E-F#-G#-A#-C. An example of a whole tone scale can be heard in Debussy’s Voiles.
Octatonic Scale
The scale consists of alternating whole and half steps. It is an 8-tone scale; that is, 8 tones are required to fill in the octave. The octatonic scale was first used by Rimski-Korsakov. His student, Igor Stravinsky used it extensively, especially in the Rite of Spring. The octatonic scale has two modes. Mode 1 begins with a whole step and Mode 2 begins with a half step. Mode 1 consists of two minor tetrachords, the second starting at the tritone.
Pentatonic Scale
One of the simplest types of scales. The word pentatonic comes from the Greek word ‘pente’ meaning five. The five notes in a major pentatonic scale are tonic, supertonic, mediant, dominant, submediant. The pentatonic scale is very common in blues, jazz, folk, and rock.
