Unit 3: Scales and Key Signatures

Question 1

major scale

Answer 1

series of notes that moves by step; the word ‘scale’ comes from the Latin word ‘scala’, which means ‘ladder’

Question 2

tetrachord

Answer 2

sets of four notes; ‘tetra’ is the Greek prefix for ‘four’; the pattern is W-W-H is used in both the lower and upper part of the scale

Question 3

scale degree numbers; scale degree names

Answer 3

individual notes in a scale

Question 4

key signatures

Answer 4

major and minor scales can be formed on any starting note

Question 5

relative keys

Answer 5

for every major scale there is a minor scale that shares the same notes and the same key signature

Question 6

natural minor form

Answer 6

uses the unaltered notes of its relative major scale

Question 7

subtonic

Answer 7

the seventh degree of a natural minor scale

Question 8

harmonic minor form

Answer 8

form that has a raised seventh scale degree

Question 9

leading tone

Answer 9

raised seventh scale degree in harmonic minor form results in a leading tone instead of a subtonic

Question 10

melodic minor

Answer 10

raised sixth and seventh scale degrees when ascending, and lowered sixth and seventh when descending

Question 11

parallel keys

Answer 11

keys that share the same tonic

Question 12

to determine the key of a melody:

Answer 12

• the given key signature; it could represent a major key or its relative minor
• the starting note; melodies often begin on the tonic or dominant
• the melodic outline; melodies often outline the tonic triad or scale of their key
• the appearance of the leading tone; in minor keys, the leading tone is often included, but the absence of the leading tone does not rule out the possibility of a minor key
• the final note; many melodies end on the tonic note