{"id":461,"date":"2017-01-19T23:21:23","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T23:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/vccs-tcc-music-rford\/?post_type=chapter&p=461"},"modified":"2020-09-11T02:45:46","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T02:45:46","slug":"intervals-and-scales","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/vccs-tcc-music-rford\/chapter\/intervals-and-scales\/","title":{"raw":"Scales - Modes Major and minor","rendered":"Scales – Modes Major and minor"},"content":{"raw":"Intervals and Scales<\/strong>\r\n\r\nScales\r\n<\/span>Most melodies\u00a0we will cover in this course are built around scales.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A scale starts with the note that names the key. This note is the tonal center of that key, the note where music in that key feels \u201cat rest.\u201d It is also called the tonic, and it\u2019s the \u201cdo\u201d \u00a0(pronounced \"doh\") in the solfeggi system. Two types of scales\u00a0 concern us in this course: major\u00a0 and minor.<\/strong> \u00a0When we discuss whether a selection is major or\u00a0minor, we use the term\u00a0\"mode.\" \u00a0Example: \u201cThis selection is in the major mode.\u201d\r\n\r\nIntervals<\/span><\/strong>\r\nRefer to the discussion under the topic: Melody<\/strong> above regarding conjunct and disjunct\u00a0 melodies<\/strong>.\u00a0 These terms are defined in terms of the intervals<\/strong> or how narrow or wide the distance is in frequency between the pitches. This also applies to scales\u00a0 Whereas\u00a0 Conjunct melodies would comprise narrow intervals\u00a0 Disjunct melodies would have wide intervals scales have a series of intervals which give them their their specific character and sound.\r\n\r\n\u00a0Major and minor modes\r\n<\/span><\/strong>The arrangement of half and whole steps govern whether a scale \u00a0will sound major or\u00a0minor. (If you had access to a piano keyboard\u00a0and had more \"keys\" on it,\u00a0you could\u00a0construct a <\/span>major<\/strong> or <\/span>minor<\/strong>\u00a0mode on any note, if you know the arrangement of steps shown\u00a0 below.\u00a0 Otherwise use the virtual keyboard below.<\/span>\r\n<\/span><\/strong>\r\n\r\nVirtual keyboard\r\n<\/strong>Click <\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0following link is to a \u00a0virtual piano<\/a> keyboard: <\/span>\u00a0(open in a new window) It can \u00a0demonstrate \u00a0major and minor scales. \u00a0Note the arrangements of whole and half steps on the keyboard. This is what enables a scale to sound <\/span>major<\/strong> or <\/span>minor<\/strong>.\r\nChromatic scale:\u00a0<\/strong> First\u00a0 play the chromatic scale.\u00a0<\/span>.\u00a0 This scale involves only half steps - having\u00a0 12 pitchs. simply go up each successive black and white key. You will be performing the chromatic scale. Although you can can play any note with your cursor. you can also play the tab key and the succeeding row of \u00a0keys on your \u00a0keyboard \u00a0Click on: \u00a0Tab,q,w,e,r...etc. \u00a0You will be playing all the white keys of the piano or a C major scale. Press other keys on your computer keyboard for chords etc.\r\n\r\nMajor Scale: <\/strong>Begin\u00a0 on middle C. Play each successive white key and\u00a0 play 8 successive notes.\u00a0 Count the intervals (including black notes) on the keyboard using this formula: Two whole steps\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>plus\u00a0 one\u00a0 half step plus three whole steps plus one\u00a0 half step\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Follow this formula on any note and you will be playing a major scale<\/span>...<\/span>\r\n\r\nMinor scale:<\/strong>\u00a0Here is an easy way to play the\u00a0 minor scale beginning\u00a0 on A. Count down three white keys from middle\u00a0 \u00a0\"C\" to\u00a0 the note:\u00a0 \u201cA\". \u00a0 Starting\u00a0 on \"A\"\u00a0 play eight successive notes\u00a0 using only the white keys<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0Note the more somber sounding minor mode.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nCompose a melody yourself!\u00a0 Follow these rules.\u00a0 Begin and end your melody on \"C,\" .\u00a0 This melody would be in\u00a0 the major mode. Be sure to begin and end on \"C\"\u00a0 \u00a0for major and the \"A\" for minor.\u00a0 As a bonus, you should get a feel of the tonal center (tonality)\r\n\r\nCreate a major or minor scale \u00a0on other notes using the formulas above. See arrangement of steps under the topic:\r\n\r\nWhat are your feelings\u00a0 regarding the difference between and major and minor scales?\u00a0 A student offered this \u00a0insight \u00a0regarding Major and minor modes. It might be helpful:\r\n\r\n\"Major mode has a carefree and happy feel to it. Minor mode sounds as if the music is strained and not quite complete, almost like it needs to change in order for it to feel right. Think of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Major mode is Bugs Bunny happy and jumping along, minor comes along when the weather begins to snow, and he's down on his luck looking for food. This might sound odd, but a lot of cartoons are set to the very music in this class, and if you can visualize some of them, you might be able to relate the different modes.\"<\/em>\r\n\r\nListen to the following selections and hear the difference between Major and Minor\u00a0modes:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe major scale often sounds happy. The following is an example of a composition based on a major scale. The \u00a0fast tempo and also contributes. to the happy mood of this selection.\r\n\r\nUrl:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/4pyqLbi2wLU\r\n\r\nMinor sounds sad. Here\u2019s an example of a composition based on a minor scale. The slower tempo contributes toward the somber mood. However it is the scale (arrangement of whole\u00a0 and half steps) that\u00a0 defines the mode.\r\n\r\nURL:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/wXQCPAR0EHo\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe two following selections are \u00a0fugues \u00a0played on piano by Handel.\r\nThe Grand Fugue #1 is in minor mode and the fugue in F is in the \u00a0major mode.\r\nCan you hear the difference?\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/vOlPeR-4moY\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/a9_fZOXn2Rc\r\n\r\nA Power Point file available\u00a0 in the Harmony topic\u00a0 provides some reference to intervals and\u00a0 scales.\u00a0 (Same Pp[\u00a0 also available\u00a0 under Melody.)","rendered":"

Intervals and Scales<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scales
\n<\/span>Most melodies\u00a0we will cover in this course are built around scales.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A scale starts with the note that names the key. This note is the tonal center of that key, the note where music in that key feels \u201cat rest.\u201d It is also called the tonic, and it\u2019s the \u201cdo\u201d \u00a0(pronounced “doh”) in the solfeggi system. Two types of scales\u00a0 concern us in this course: major\u00a0 and minor.<\/strong> \u00a0When we discuss whether a selection is major or\u00a0minor, we use the term\u00a0“mode.” \u00a0Example: \u201cThis selection is in the major mode.\u201d<\/p>\n

Intervals<\/span><\/strong>
\nRefer to the discussion under the topic: Melody<\/strong> above regarding conjunct and disjunct\u00a0 melodies<\/strong>.\u00a0 These terms are defined in terms of the intervals<\/strong> or how narrow or wide the distance is in frequency between the pitches. This also applies to scales\u00a0 Whereas\u00a0 Conjunct melodies would comprise narrow intervals\u00a0 Disjunct melodies would have wide intervals scales have a series of intervals which give them their their specific character and sound.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Major and minor modes
\n<\/span><\/strong>The arrangement of half and whole steps govern whether a scale \u00a0will sound major or\u00a0minor. (If you had access to a piano keyboard\u00a0and had more “keys” on it,\u00a0you could\u00a0construct a <\/span>major<\/strong> or <\/span>minor<\/strong>\u00a0mode on any note, if you know the arrangement of steps shown\u00a0 below.\u00a0 Otherwise use the virtual keyboard below.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Minor scale:<\/strong>\u00a0Here is an easy way to play the\u00a0 minor scale beginning\u00a0 on A. Count down three white keys from middle\u00a0 \u00a0“C” to\u00a0 the note:\u00a0 \u201cA”. \u00a0 Starting\u00a0 on “A”\u00a0 play eight successive notes\u00a0 using only the white keys<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0Note the more somber sounding minor mode.\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Compose a melody yourself!\u00a0 Follow these rules.\u00a0 Begin and end your melody on “C,” .\u00a0 This melody would be in\u00a0 the major mode. Be sure to begin and end on “C”\u00a0 \u00a0for major and the “A” for minor.\u00a0 As a bonus, you should get a feel of the tonal center (tonality)<\/p>\n

Create a major or minor scale \u00a0on other notes using the formulas above. See arrangement of steps under the topic:<\/p>\n

What are your feelings\u00a0 regarding the difference between and major and minor scales?\u00a0 A student offered this \u00a0insight \u00a0regarding Major and minor modes. It might be helpful:<\/p>\n

“Major mode has a carefree and happy feel to it. Minor mode sounds as if the music is strained and not quite complete, almost like it needs to change in order for it to feel right. Think of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Major mode is Bugs Bunny happy and jumping along, minor comes along when the weather begins to snow, and he’s down on his luck looking for food. This might sound odd, but a lot of cartoons are set to the very music in this class, and if you can visualize some of them, you might be able to relate the different modes.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Listen to the following selections and hear the difference between Major and Minor\u00a0modes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The major scale often sounds happy. The following is an example of a composition based on a major scale. The \u00a0fast tempo and also contributes. to the happy mood of this selection.<\/p>\n

Url:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Virtual keyboard
\n<\/strong>Click <\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0following link is to a \u00a0virtual piano<\/a> keyboard: <\/span>\u00a0(open in a new window) It can \u00a0demonstrate \u00a0major and minor scales. \u00a0Note the arrangements of whole and half steps on the keyboard. This is what enables a scale to sound <\/span>major<\/strong> or <\/span>minor<\/strong>.
\nChromatic scale:\u00a0<\/strong> First\u00a0 play the chromatic scale.\u00a0<\/span>.\u00a0 This scale involves only half steps – having\u00a0 12 pitchs. simply go up each successive black and white key. You will be performing the chromatic scale. Although you can can play any note with your cursor. you can also play the tab key and the succeeding row of \u00a0keys on your \u00a0keyboard \u00a0Click on: \u00a0Tab,q,w,e,r…etc. \u00a0You will be playing all the white keys of the piano or a C major scale. Press other keys on your computer keyboard for chords etc.
\n
\nMajor Scale: <\/strong>Begin\u00a0 on middle C. Play each successive white key and\u00a0 play 8 successive notes.\u00a0 Count the intervals (including black notes) on the keyboard using this formula: Two whole steps\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>plus\u00a0 one\u00a0 half step plus three whole steps plus one\u00a0 half step\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Follow this formula on any note and you will be playing a major scale<\/span>…<\/span><\/p>\n