Scales Flashcards
What is the pattern of tones and semitones in a major scale?
TTSTTTS
What is the pattern on tones and semitones in a minor scale?
TSTTSTT
What are the technical names for the each degree of a scale?
1st= Tonic
2nd= Supertonic
3rd= Mediant
4th= Subdominant
5th= Dominant
6th= Submediant
7th = Leading Note
What does dominant mean?
The dominant is the 2nd most important note after the tonic (because these two notes work together to help fix the key of a piece). It’s 5 notes higher than the tonic.
What does subdominant mean?
The subdominant is the next most important note after the dominant. It is 5 notes lower than the tonic (which is why it’s called the “sub”=”lower” dominant.
What does mediant mean?
The word “mediant” is connected to the word “middle”. The mediant note is midway between the tonic and the dominant. It’s 3 notes higher than the tonic.
What does submediant mean?
The submediant is midway between the tonic and the subdominant. It’s 3 notes lower than the tonic. (Remember, “sub-” = lower).
What does supertonic mean?
The supertonic is “one more than” the tonic. It’s one note higher than the tonic.
What does the leading note mean?
The leading note is one note below the tonic. This note is called the leading note because it is very often followed by the tonic when used in a melody – so it generally “leads to the tonic”.
What is the mnemonic for the order of sharps and flats from key signatures?
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Ends Battles. (for sharps). For flats, read the sentence backwards.
What is the trick you use to work out the order of sharps and flats, the name of all major key signatures and how many sharps and flats each one has.
1) Write the order of sharps and flats.
2) Draw a line to the right of C.
3) Add accidentals to the left of the line.
4) Add numbers starting from the right of the line.
E.g. if you need to find the key signature for A major, find A and you’ll see it has 3 sharps. The sharps are F,C and G.
How do you find the relative minor of a major scale?
Count up six scale degrees in the major scale–that is where the relative minor scale begins.
What is the natural minor scale?
Same as the major scale, but starts on the 6th degree (note).
What is the harmonic minor scale?
Same as the natural minor, but the 7th note is raised by a semitone.
What is the melodic minor scale?
On the natural minor, raise the 6th and 7th notes up by a semitones and on the way down, lower them by a semitone.
