Week 4
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Objectives:
Scale Review Intervals Major/Minor Chords |
Homework:
DUE: SCALES / KEYBOARD HW Homework: Scales HW DUE Homework: CHORDS AND SCALES |
SIDENOTE: Everything we Talk about in here is merely and introduction to the topic.
We could have an entire semester class based on reading notes and rhythms, or learning different scales, or learning the keyboard, or GB
We really are just scratching the surface of the topics we discuss!
We could have an entire semester class based on reading notes and rhythms, or learning different scales, or learning the keyboard, or GB
We really are just scratching the surface of the topics we discuss!
Scale Review
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Scale:
Webster Definition: In music theory, a scale is any set of musical notes ordered by fundamental frequency or pitch. A scale ordered by increasing pitch is an ascending scale, and a scale ordered by decreasing pitch is a descending scale. Some scalescontain different pitches when ascending than when descending. Simpler : A specific set notes moving upwards, then downwards in a specified order. Generally (for our purposes) scales will go one octave (ex. starting from C and going to the C and octave higher) - not always see "algerian scale" |
It is important to remember that there are MANY different types of scales.
For a list of scales check this out The Scales Differ in how much space is between each notes. We are measuring this space using units Whole step (W) and Half Step (H) (also known as tones and semi-tones). Using these units we can come up with a pattern of all of our scales, and remember that no matter what the starting note is, that scale will always be the same pattern/formula. Look here for a review of the formula/patterns I.e. all major scales have the same pattern of whole/half steps no matter which of the 12 keys we start from We are focused on 3 main scales: Chromatic , Major , and Minor |
Chromatic Scale
The chromatic scale is the easiest to remember because it is divided into an even pattern of Half Steps only.
Review - Temperament
Remember that temperament deals with how the keyboard is divided up - OR how do we decide how many Hz each note is worth? How many more Hz is the note directly after that one? ( Review formula for a half step)
In our Equal Temperament (know which one we use) the octave is divided equally into 12 half steps.
Notice how on the list of scales there are multiple equal temperaments (15, 16, etc)
This would meant that the space between those notes is smaller and thus you can fit MORE in an octave (notice the top and bottom notes are the same)
I.e. we would have to add more keys to the keyboard!
The Chromatic Scale outlines our 12 Equal Temperement Evenly
Thus the Pattern is that of a repeating Half Step
Chromatic Pattern:
Starting Note, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, etc.
The chromatic scale is the octave divided equally
Major and Minor scales are divided un-equally
Major Scale Pattern:
Starting Note, W, W, H, W, W, W, H
Minor Scale Patern:
Startin Note, W, H, W, W, H, W W
Review - Temperament
Remember that temperament deals with how the keyboard is divided up - OR how do we decide how many Hz each note is worth? How many more Hz is the note directly after that one? ( Review formula for a half step)
In our Equal Temperament (know which one we use) the octave is divided equally into 12 half steps.
Notice how on the list of scales there are multiple equal temperaments (15, 16, etc)
This would meant that the space between those notes is smaller and thus you can fit MORE in an octave (notice the top and bottom notes are the same)
I.e. we would have to add more keys to the keyboard!
The Chromatic Scale outlines our 12 Equal Temperement Evenly
Thus the Pattern is that of a repeating Half Step
Chromatic Pattern:
Starting Note, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, H, etc.
The chromatic scale is the octave divided equally
Major and Minor scales are divided un-equally
Major Scale Pattern:
Starting Note, W, W, H, W, W, W, H
Minor Scale Patern:
Startin Note, W, H, W, W, H, W W
Intervals
Webster Definition:
In music theory, an interval is the difference between two pitches. An interval may be described as horizontal, linear, or melodic if it refers to successively sounding tones, such as two adjacent pitches in a melody, and vertical or harmonic if it pertains to simultaneously sounding tones, such as in a chord
Simpler :
The space between two notes.
In music theory, an interval is the difference between two pitches. An interval may be described as horizontal, linear, or melodic if it refers to successively sounding tones, such as two adjacent pitches in a melody, and vertical or harmonic if it pertains to simultaneously sounding tones, such as in a chord
Simpler :
The space between two notes.
This could pertain to two notes played one after the other, or two notes played simultaneously
Example...
These are important because certain intervals sound more 'right to our ear than others!
This is because of how their frequencies line up when played overtop of each other
Units of Measurement:
Remember with scales, we always measure in half steps and whole steps - we can measure intervals in this way too -
Example:
See the picture below. each rung not he ladder represents a half step.
If we assume C is one rung #:
- What is one rung #2?
-rung # 3?
-On what rung would we find G
- On what rung would we find a Bb?
- On what rung would we find the C and octave higher?
Example...
These are important because certain intervals sound more 'right to our ear than others!
This is because of how their frequencies line up when played overtop of each other
Units of Measurement:
Remember with scales, we always measure in half steps and whole steps - we can measure intervals in this way too -
Example:
See the picture below. each rung not he ladder represents a half step.
If we assume C is one rung #:
- What is one rung #2?
-rung # 3?
-On what rung would we find G
- On what rung would we find a Bb?
- On what rung would we find the C and octave higher?
However, we also have numerical names for them that are not based on the space between them, but on the scale degree of it's respective major scale .
Example:
If the bottom note of an interval is a C, we are using the Degrees of the C scale
Scale Degree:
In music theory, a scale degree is the name given to a particular note of a scale to specify its position relative to the tonic (the main note of the scale). The tonic is considered to be the first degree of the scale, from which each octave is assumed to begin.
Below is a C Scale withe the scale degrees indicated in red.
Example:
If the bottom note of an interval is a C, we are using the Degrees of the C scale
Scale Degree:
In music theory, a scale degree is the name given to a particular note of a scale to specify its position relative to the tonic (the main note of the scale). The tonic is considered to be the first degree of the scale, from which each octave is assumed to begin.
Below is a C Scale withe the scale degrees indicated in red.
We can see above that at least the scale degrees are number logically ;
1st note = 1 Scale degree
2nd note = 2
3rd Note = 3
etc
This is also how we get the names for our intervals !
NOTE: This can be confusing as these numerical names for the intervals do not correspond with measurement of Whole Steps/Half Steps
Examples - If the bottom note is C:
-A 3rd is actually 2 Whole Steps away
-A 5th is actually 3.5 whole steps away (3 whole 1 half)
SO WE MEASURE OUR INTERVALS IN STEP, BUT NAME THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR CORRESPONDING SCALE DEGREE
1st note = 1 Scale degree
2nd note = 2
3rd Note = 3
etc
This is also how we get the names for our intervals !
NOTE: This can be confusing as these numerical names for the intervals do not correspond with measurement of Whole Steps/Half Steps
Examples - If the bottom note is C:
-A 3rd is actually 2 Whole Steps away
-A 5th is actually 3.5 whole steps away (3 whole 1 half)
SO WE MEASURE OUR INTERVALS IN STEP, BUT NAME THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR CORRESPONDING SCALE DEGREE
List of Intervals Measured by Step
Name/Scale Degree Step Measurent
Click HERE for more interval Review
Name/Scale Degree Step Measurent
- Perfect 1 = 0 half-steps
- minor 2 = 1 half-step
- Major 2 = 2 half-steps
- minor 3 = 3 half-steps
- Major 3 = 4 half-steps
- Perfect 4 = 5 half-steps
- Augmented 4 = 6 half-steps
- Perfect 5 = 7 half-steps
- minor 6 = 8 half-steps
- Major 6 = 9 half-steps
- minor 7 = 10 half-steps
- Major 7 = 11 half-steps
- Perfect 8 (octave) = 12 half-steps
Click HERE for more interval Review
Chords
Where Scales deal with notes played in succession (one after the other), and intervals could be played simultaneously or separately,
Chords deal exclusively with notes that are played or sounded simultaneously.
Webster Definition:
a group of (typically three or more) notes sounded together,
For our Purposes, we will always talk about at least 3 or more notes. (if there are only two notes, it would be an interval, not chord)
A chord with 3 Notes is called a Triad
We will think about chords in terms of their relationship to a scale
Just like there are many variations of scales, there are many variations of chords, but for this class we will focus on major and minor chords
Chords deal exclusively with notes that are played or sounded simultaneously.
Webster Definition:
a group of (typically three or more) notes sounded together,
For our Purposes, we will always talk about at least 3 or more notes. (if there are only two notes, it would be an interval, not chord)
A chord with 3 Notes is called a Triad
We will think about chords in terms of their relationship to a scale
Just like there are many variations of scales, there are many variations of chords, but for this class we will focus on major and minor chords
To build chords we will refer to our major/minor scales (use your homework/google etc)
Chord Formula:
To find a chord, look at it's corresponding scale, and use the 1st, 3rd, and 5th scale degree
Why are major and minor scales important to us?
Generally, songs are based on either a major or a minor scale/chord which gives it a distinct sound
Check out some of these where the major/minor has been flip flopped
Chord Formula:
To find a chord, look at it's corresponding scale, and use the 1st, 3rd, and 5th scale degree
Why are major and minor scales important to us?
Generally, songs are based on either a major or a minor scale/chord which gives it a distinct sound
Check out some of these where the major/minor has been flip flopped
Example 1 - Building a Major Chord
Let's use C Major as an example
Step 1: Refer to C Major scale (homework/write out/google)
Let's use C Major as an example
Step 1: Refer to C Major scale (homework/write out/google)
Step 2: Locate the 1 , 3 , 5 of the scale
Step 3: See example all the way to the right - remember that chords refer to notes being played/sounded at the same time, so we write them stacked up (not separately like a scale, as seen on the left here)
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Answer: C Major |
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Note: With the method of building a chord, we are basing it off of scale degrees. another way to think of chords is 2 intervals stacked together.
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Example 2 - Building a Minor Chord
For this , the steps are the same but we will refer to our MINOR scales
**minor chords are still based off of the 1, 3, 5,
Let's use c Minor as an example
Step 1 : Refer to C minor Scale
For this , the steps are the same but we will refer to our MINOR scales
**minor chords are still based off of the 1, 3, 5,
Let's use c Minor as an example
Step 1 : Refer to C minor Scale
Step 2 - Locate the 1 , 3, 5 of the scale
Step 3: See example all the way to the right - remember that chords refer to notes being played/sounded at the same time, so we write them stacked up (not separately like a scale, as seen on the left here)
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Answer: C Minor |
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Class Activity
On the Manuscript provided, write the following chords:
D minor
G Major
A minor
D Major
*** to find the scale to reference, use your homework or google the major/minor scale - Ex. D Major Scale***
Click HERE for step by step chord review
On the Manuscript provided, write the following chords:
D minor
G Major
A minor
D Major
*** to find the scale to reference, use your homework or google the major/minor scale - Ex. D Major Scale***
Click HERE for step by step chord review
Homework
Chords
On the Manuscript provided, right all major and minor triads
So - After completing this, you should have 12 major and 12 minor triads
Scales
Last class you did 6 major and 6 minor scales
Complete the other 6 major and other 6 minor scales
So- after completing this you should have 12 major and 12 minor scales
On the Manuscript provided, right all major and minor triads
So - After completing this, you should have 12 major and 12 minor triads
Scales
Last class you did 6 major and 6 minor scales
Complete the other 6 major and other 6 minor scales
So- after completing this you should have 12 major and 12 minor scales