Scales

A scale is a series of notes ordered by pitch. The notes in a scale belong together and are often used as a basis for melodies and chords in music. Most popular music is based on the notes of one major scale or minor scale, but some pieces of music use different scales along the way.

1. Scale construction

Scales are usually notated in ascending order. The note from which the scale is built and named, is called the root note. Below is an example of a scale with G as the root note:

The root note is repeated at the end to round off the scale. The repetition is not included as a new note, therefore the above scale consists of seven different notes.

This is an excerpt from ‘Minuet in G’ (Christian Petzold, 1725), which uses the scale above. The melody uses all the notes from the scale, but a piece of music does not have to use all the notes in a scale:

Distances between the scale notes

The distance between the notes in a scale can be 1, 2, or 3 half steps. A distance of 2 half steps is also called a whole step. Each type of scale may be described with a series of numbers indicating the distance between the scale notes, e.g. 2-2-1-2-2-2-1:

The distance between the notes in a scale is the same regardless of the root note. Here is the same type of scale as above, but with a new root note. Note how similar the two versions of the scale type sound:

In English, the letters H (half step) and W (whole step), or S (semitone) and T (tone) are often used instead of the numbers 1 and 2. Therefore, the type of scale above can also be described with the series of letters W-W-H-W-W-W-H or T-T-S-T-T-T-S.

Scale degrees

Each note in a scale has a number called a degree, which shows the distance of the note from the root note. Each natural note, with or without accidental, represents a degree. Each line and space on the staff also represent a degree. The root note falls on the first degree. After seven degrees, the root note and the first degree are repeated:

The major scale, the minor scales, and the music modes described below consist of seven different notes and they are notated using seven different degrees. The following notation of the above scale is incorrect because the third degree is used twice:

The seven degrees are called tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, and leading tone. If the seventh degree falls two half steps below the root note instead of one half step below, the term subtonic is used instead of leading tone.

2. Major scale

A major scale consists of seven different notes in the pattern 2-2-1-2-2-2-1, where 1 is a half step, and 2 is a whole step. Below is a C major scale:

A characteristic of the major scale is the major third degree that characterizes major, and the major seventh degree that is the leading tone to the root note. It is the most common scale in classical and popular music in most parts of the world.

Some example pieces of music in major are:

• Vivaldi: ‘The Four Seasons: Spring’, 1723. In E major.
• Wet Wet Wet: ‘Love Is All Around’, 1994. In B-flat major.
• Owl City: ‘Good Time’, 2012. In E-flat major.

3. Minor scales

There are three different minor scales: natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. Music pieces in minor typically use a combination of different minor scales. Therefore, a piece of music is often said to be in minor regardless of the type of minor scale.

Natural minor scale

A natural minor scale consists of seven different notes in the pattern 2-1-2-2-1-2-2, where 1 is a half step, and 2 is a whole step. Below is a C natural minor scale:

A characteristic of the natural minor scale is the minor third degree, which characterizes minor, and the minor seventh degree, by virtue of which the scale has no leading tone. It is one of the most common scales in classical and popular music in most parts of the world.

Some example pieces of music in natural minor are:

• Kate Bush: ‘Running Up That Hill’, 1985. In C natural minor.
• Yann Tiersen: ‘La valse d'Amélie’, 2001. In A natural minor.
• Shawn Mendes: ‘Señorita’, 2018. In A natural minor.

A major scale and a natural minor scale are relative to each other when they share all the same notes. Each major scale has a relative minor scale starting on the sixth degree of the major scale. For example, the A minor scale is relative to C major. A major scale and a natural minor scale are parallel to each other when they share the same root note. For example, the C minor scale is parallel to C major.

Harmonic minor scale

A harmonic minor scale consists of seven different notes in the pattern 2-1-2-2-1-3-1. The scale corresponds to a natural minor scale with a raised seventh degree. Below is a C harmonic minor scale:

A characteristic of the harmonic minor scale is the minor third degree which characterizes minor, and the augmented second between the sixth degree and the leading tone on the seventh degree.

Usually a harmonic minor scale is only used briefly in addition to the natural minor scale. The leading tone on the seventh degree is suitable for ascending melodic movements leading up to the root note.

Melodic minor scale

A melodic minor scale consists of seven different notes in the pattern 2-1-2-2-2-2-1. The scale corresponds to a natural minor scale with a raised sixth and seventh degrees. Below is a C melodic minor scale:

A characteristic of the melodic minor scale is the minor third degree that characterizes minor, the major sixth degree, and the major seventh degree, that is the leading tone to the root note.

Usually, a melodic minor scale is only used briefly in addition to the natural minor scale. The major sixth degree and the leading note on the seventh degree are suitable for ascending melodic movements leading up to the root note.

An example song using different minor scales is ‘This Love’ (Maroon 5, 2002). The song is in C minor and uses the leading tone from the harmonic minor scale on the first melody note. Later it uses the minor seventh from the natural minor scale.

4. Pentatonic scales

A pentatonic scale consists of five notes. There are many different pentatonic scales, but the two most common ones by far are major pentatonic and minor pentatonic.

Major pentatonic scale

A major pentatonic scale consists of five different notes in the pattern 2-2-3-2-3. The scale corresponds to a major scale without the fourth and seventh degree. Below is a C major pentatonic scale:

A characteristic of the major pentatonic scale is the major third degree which characterizes major, the limited number of notes, and the lack of half steps.

The major pentatonic scale is common in popular music and folk music worldwide and is used especially in melodies and improvisation. Chords are usually based on other scales with more notes than the major pentatonic scale.

Some examples of major pentatonic melodies are:

• John Newton: ‘Amazing Grace’, 1773. In G major pentatonic.
• Katy Perry: ‘Roar’, 2013. In B-flat major pentatonic.
• Taylor Swift: ‘Delicate’, 2018. In C major pentatonic.

Minor pentatonic scale

A minor pentatonic scale consists of five different notes in the pattern 3-2-2-3-2. The scale corresponds to a natural minor scale without the second and sixth degree. Below is a C minor pentatonic scale:

A characteristic of the minor pentatonic scale is the minor third degree which characterizes the minor, the limited number of notes, and the lack of half steps.

The minor pentatonic scale is common in popular music and folk music worldwide, and is used especially in melodies and improvisation. Chords are usually based on other scales with more notes than the minor pentatonic scale.

Some examples of minor pentatonic melodies are:

• Toploader: ‘Dancing In the Moonlight’, 2000. In C minor pentatonic.
• Ed Sheeran: ‘Shape of You’, 2017. In C-sharp minor pentatonic.
• The Weekend: ‘Blinding Lights’, 2020. In C minor pentatonic./li>

5. Blues scale

A blues scale consists of six different notes in the pattern 3-2-1-1-3-2. The scale corresponds to a minor pentatonic scale with an added diminished fifth. Below is a C blues scale:

A characteristic of the blues scale is the minor third degree, the diminished fifth degree, and the minor seventh degree. Typically, these three notes are not played and sung entirely in tune, but as something between minor and major third, diminished and perfect fifth, and minor and major seventh. When the notes are played and sung this way, they are called blue notes.

Blue notes are characteristic of blues and can be used in combination with both major and minor chords. Blue notes can be sung and played on most wind instruments and string instruments. On a piano you can’t vary the pitch of the individual notes, and therefore you have to play the notes in the standard way.

The blues scale is common in blues, jazz, country, rock, and funk and is used especially in melodies and improvisation. Chords are usually based on different scales than the blues scale.

Some examples of blues melodies are:

• Etta James: ‘I'd Rather Go Blind’, 1968. In F-sharp blues.
• B.B King: ‘The Thrill Is Gone’, 1969. In B blues.
• Jimi Hendrix: ‘Red House’, 1969. In B-flat blues.

6. Music modes

The music modes are seven scales originating in European music from the Middle Ages. From the beginning of the 17th century, the major and minor scales became more common, but the music modes are still used today, especially in folk music, jazz, and rock.

The names of the music modes are Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. They consist of the same notes as a major scale, but they start on each of the seven degrees of the major scale. Any major scale contains all seven music modes.

For example, a C major scale (consisting of the notes C, D, F, F, G, A, B, and C) containes D Dorian on the second degree (D, E, F, G, A, B, C , and D), and G Mixolydian on the fifth degree (G, A, B, C, D, E, F , and G).

Ionian mode

The Ionian mode starts on the first degree of the major scale. The scale is identical to a major scale. Below is a C Ionian mode:

A characteristic of the Ionian mode is the major third degree that characterizes major, and the major seventh degree that is the leading tone to the root note.

Some examples of music pieces in Ionian are:

• Bob Dylan: ‘Like a Rolling Stone’, 1965. In C Ionian.
• The Beatles: ‘Let It Be’, 1970. In C Ionian.
• Rihanna: ‘Stay’, 2013. In C Ionian.

Dorian mode

The Dorian mode starts on the second degree of the major scale. The scale corresponds to a natural minor scale with a raised sixth degree. Below is a C Dorian mode:

A characteristic of the Dorian mode is the minor third degree, which characterizes minor, and the major sixth degree that separates the scale from a natural minor scale.

Some examples of music pieces in Dorian are:

• Traditional: ‘Drunken Sailor’, year unknown. In D Dorian.
• John Coltrane: ‘Impressions’, 1963. In D Dorian and E-flat Dorian.
• Santana: ‘Oye Como Va’, 1971. In A Dorian.

Phrygian mode

The Phrygian mode starts on the third degree of the major scale. The scale corresponds to a natural minor scale with a lowered second degree. Below is a C Phrygian mode:

A characteristic of the Phrygian mode is the minor third degree, which characterizes minor, and the minor second degree that separates the scale from a natural minor scale.

Some examples of music pieces in Phrygian are:

• Pink Floyd: ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun’, 1968. In A Phrygian.
• Slade: ‘Coz I Love You’, 1970. In D Phrygian.
• The Clash: ‘London Calling’, 1979. In E Phrygian.

Lydian mode

The Lydian mode starts on the fourth degree of the major scale. The scale corresponds to a major scale with a raised fourth degree. Below is a C Lydian mode:

A characteristic of the Lydian mode is the major third degree, which characterizes major, and the augmented fourth degree that separates the scale from a major scale.

Some examples of music pieces in Lydian are:

• The Left Banke: ‘Pretty Ballerina’, 1966. In E-flat Lydian.
• Joe Satriani: ‘Flying in a Blue Dream’, 1989. In C Lydian.
• Elliott Smith: ‘Waltz #1’, 1998. In C-flat Lydian.

Mixolydian mode

The Mixolydian mode starts on the fifth degree of the major scale. The scale corresponds to a major scale with a lowered seventh degree. Below is a C Mixolydian mode:

A characteristic of the Mixolydian mode is the major third degree which characterizes major, and the minor seventh degree that separates the scale from a major scale.

Some examples of music pieces in Mixolydian are:

• Traditional: ‘She Moved Through the Fair’, year unknown. In D Mixolydian.
• The Beatles: ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, 1966. In C Mixolydian.
• Steve Earle: ‘Copperhead Road’, 1988. In D Mixolydian.

Aeolian mode

The Aeolian mode starts on the sixth degree of the major scale. The scale is identical to a natural minor scale. Below is a C Aeolian mode:

A characteristic of the Aeolian mode is the minor third degree which characterizes minor, and the minor seventh degree by virtue of which the scale has no leading tone.

Some examples of music pieces in Aeolian are:

• Kate Bush: ‘Running Up That Hill’, 1985. In C Aeolian.
• R.E.M.: ‘Losing My Religion’, 1991. In A Aeolian.
• Shawn Mendes: ‘Señorita’, 2018. In A Aeolian.

Locrian mode

The Locrian mode starts on the seventh degree of the major scale. The scale corresponds to a natural minor scale with a lowered second and fifth degree. Below is a C Locrian mode:

A characteristic of the Locrian mode is the minor third degree which characterizes minor, the minor second degree, and the diminished fifth degree.

Usually the Locrian mode is used only briefly. Typically, it is used in connection with diminished chord because together the first, third, and fifth degree form a diminished chord.

7. Chromatic scale

A chromatic scale consists of all of the twelve different notes. The distance between each note is a half step (1). Below is a chromatic scale from the note C:

A characteristic of the chromatic scale is the uniform distance between all notes. All notes are balanced, and no specific note is experienced as the root note. The scale is common in both classical music and jazz, but usually only a short segment of the scale is used.

There is only one version of the chromatic scale. Regardless of the starting note, the notes are the same. An ascending chromatic scale is usually notated with sharps (♯) and a descending chromatic scale with flats (♭).

Some examples of music pieces with a lot of chromaticism are:

• Georges Bizet: ‘Habanera’ from Carmen, 1875.
• Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’, 1900.
• Metallica: ‘Master of Puppets’, 1986.

8. Whole-tone scale

A whole-tone scale consists of six different notes in the pattern 2-2-2-2-2-2. The distance between all notes is a whole step (2). Below is a C whole-tone scale:

A characteristic of the whole-tone scale is the uniform distance between all notes. All notes are balanced, and no specific note is experienced as the root note. The scale is primarily used in classical music and jazz, but it has a limited scope.

There are only two versions of the whole-tone scale. One version has C as the starting note, while the other has D♭ as the starting note. A whole-tone scale with any other starting note has the same notes as one of these two versions.

Some examples of music pieces with multiple whole steps are:

• Claude Debussy: ‘Voiles’, 1909.
• Thelonious Monk: ‘Four In One’, 1951.
• King Crimson: ‘Red’, 1974.

9. Other scales

There are many other scales than the ones mentioned above. However, most are rarely used in the Western world. Among the most common other scales are:

Diminished scales

A half-whole diminished scale consists of eight notes at a distance of alternately a half step (1) and a whole step (2). Below is a C half-whole diminished scale:

A whole-half diminished scale consists of eight notes at a distance of alternately a whole step (2) and a half step (1). Below is a C whole-half diminished scale:

A characteristic of the diminished scales is the alternation between the whole steps and half steps, and that they are composed of two diminished seventh chords. In the scale above, the notes C, E♭, G♭, and A constitute one diminished seventh chord and the remaining four notes constitute the other diminished seventh chord. The scales are primarily used in jazz, blues, and rock in connection with diminished seventh chords.

Bebop scales

A bebop dominant scale consists of eight different notes in the pattern 2-2-1-2-2-1-1-1. Below is a C bebop dominant scale:

A bebop major scale consists of eight different notes in the pattern 2-2-1-2-1-1-2-1. Below is a C bebop major scale:

A characteristic of the two bebop scales is the chromatic passing note that separates the scales from a major scale. The scales are primarily used in jazz.

Harmonic major scale

A harmonic major scale consists of seven different notes in the pattern 2-2-1-2-1-3-1. The scale corresponds to a major scale with a lowered sixth degree. Below is a C harmonic major scale:

A characteristic of the harmonic major scale is the major third degree which characterizes major, and the augmented second between the sixth and seventh degree. The scale is primarily used in jazz.

Hungarian minor scale

A Hungarian minor scale (also called a double harmonic minor scale) consists of seven different notes in the pattern 2-1-3-1-1-3-1. The scale corresponds to a natural minor scale with a raised fourth and seventh degree. Below is a C Hungarian minor scale:

A characteristic of the Hungarian minor scale is the minor third degree, which characterizes minor, and the two augmented seconds between the third and fourth degree as well as the sixth and seventh degree. The scale is primarily used in traditional music from Eastern Europe and Indian classical music.