Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 What is a scale and.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 What is a scale and why do I need to know about them? If you have lessons on an instrument you probably played scales regularly. If you are taking GCSE music or a Music School Theory exam you will need to know about scales and their construction. If you want to compose music, knowing about scales will help you develop your musical ideas. Knowing about scales will help you understand what people mean when they talk about key changes and music being in the ‘key’ of.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 To get the most out of this software you should Have played scales before, probably in instrumental lessons or for a music exam. Understanding scales will help your performance skills. You should be composing your own music either for exams or for pleasure. You will be able to apply your new knowledge to improve your compositions.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Learning Objectives Explain how semitones and tones are used to construct scales. Recognise a variety of different scales e.g. Major, Minor, Chromatic, Pentatonic Identify situations where different scales may be used. Apply your new knowledge to improve your listening, performing and composing skills. If you complete the full set of slides you should be able to:

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 How to use the learning: Try to have a keyboard nearby to play and hear the notes and see the relationships. You can play the scales on another instrument, but keyboard is easiest to ‘see’ the patterns on. You will also need speakers or headphones for the computer so that you can listen to the examples.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 How to use the learning: When you see this symbol there is a link to some more in depth information about a subject. This information may use more technical language. You do not need to click on the link to complete the learning for this course. The information may help you develop a particular interest or help you understand a subject more fully.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 You do not need to complete the course in one go. It is beneficial to do the course in short sections and then go away and experiment with the information you have learned by playing the scales on your own instrument or composing a short piece. You can also go back to sessions to revise a topic. Use the links on the left, or the contents page to jump to different sections of the course. How to use the learning:

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Contents Tones and Semitones Tones and Semitones Tones Tones Scales Scales Pentatonic Pentatonic Chromatic Chromatic Major Major Semitones Semitones Minor Minor Harmonic Harmonic Melodic Melodic Further information links Further information links Test Test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Tones and Semitones If you can already explain what a semitone and tone are and demonstrate them to a teacher, you can jump ahead to the next section by clicking the ‘Jump to Scales’ button. You can try the mini-test to check your learning. Jump to Scales Semitones Semitones Tones Tones Mini-test Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Semitones Each octave in sound is divided up into twelve semitone steps. On a keyboard you can see this as the smallest distance from one note to the next: Find out more about why the octave is divided into 12 equal parts C  C ♯ = semitone E  F = semitone B  B ♭ = semitone

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Why is an octave divided into 12 equal parts? Find out more about the science and history behind equal temperament at wikipediaFind out more about the science and history behind equal temperament at wikipedia. Back to An octave can contain many more sounds than the 12 we hear on a keyboard (think of a trombone sliding between notes). Although on a keyboard instrument C# and Db are the same note, in the sonic world they are subtly different, but in order for keyboard instruments to have a manageable number of keys and to be able to perform with other instruments the 12 note ‘equal temperament’ system became widely adopted during the Baroque period of music (1650-1750). J.S. Bach wrote a set of music ‘The Well Tempered Clavier’ to demonstrate equal temperament. Semitones

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Tones A tone is two semitones C  D = tone (C  C ♯  D) E  F ♯ = tone (E  F  F ♯ ) B ♭  C = tone (B ♭  B  C)

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Well done! That’s right! A ♭ and A ToneSemitone Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Semitones Sorry that’s wrong. Try again, or go back and repeat the lessons. Tones Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Well done! That’s right! A ♭ and A ToneSemitone A and G ToneSemitone Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Semitones Sorry that’s wrong. Try again, or go back and repeat the lessons. Tones A ♭ and A ToneSemitone Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Well done! That’s right! A ♭ and A ToneSemitone A and G ToneSemitone F ♯ and E ToneSemitone Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Semitones Sorry that’s wrong. Try again, or go back and repeat the lessons. Tones A ♭ and A ToneSemitone A and G ToneSemitone Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Are the following pairs of notes semitones or tones? D and E ToneSemitone Semitones Sorry that’s wrong. Try again, or go back and repeat the lessons. Tones A ♭ and A ToneSemitone A and G ToneSemitone F ♯ and E ToneSemitone Mini-test

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Well done! You can now describe intervals between notes as tones or semitones. You are ready to start learning about scales. Finish this session now or continue to scales? Scales

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Scales Scales are a way of selecting the notes when you begin composing. When you can choose any notes to make your tune or accompaniment you can be overwhelmed with choice. Choosing notes from just one scale helps to focus your music.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Scales All musical cultures have their own scale patterns. Scale patterns develop from the vocal styles and instrumental techniques of different cultures so different scales have emerged around the world. This course focuses on scales used in Western Classical Music. Find out about other scale patterns around the world

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Scales Here is a list of some other scale patterns from other musical traditions with links to Wikipedia entries. It is not a complete list, so you can do some research of your own to find other scale patterns. Raga - India Raga - India Blues - Jazz Blues - Jazz Pelog and Slendro - Gamelan Pelog and Slendro - Gamelan Back to Scales Modes – Ancient music and Folk music Modes – Ancient music and Folk music

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Scales The different types of scales you will learn about are: Pentatonic Pentatonic Chromatic Chromatic Major Major Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Pentatonic The pentatonic scale is the simplest scale. It is found in cultures all over the world. The pentatonic scale has five notes. You can play the pentatonic scale just using the black notes on a keyboard. Try playing a pentatonic scale now. Start on the note F ♯ and only play black notes.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Pentatonic When you play the scale in order F ♯, G ♯, A ♯, C ♯, D ♯ it sounds quite Asian or Oriental, but many western songs and tunes only use the Pentatonic scale. Try playing ‘Mary had a Little Lamb’. Start on A ♯.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Pentatonic Try to compose a tune of your own using the Pentatonic scale. In this video Bobby McFerrin shows how universal and intrinsic the Pentatonic scale is Youtube video

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Chromatic Chromatic means colourful. The chromatic scale is one that plays all the semitones from one note to the same note an octave higher. This is the chromatic scale starting on C Try playing the scale starting on different notes.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Chromatic Chromatic scales are not usually used as the basis for composing music. Instead chromatic notes and passages are added into pieces to add colour and interest. Debussy and other ‘Impressionist’ composers at the end of the 19 th century and the start of the 20 th century used the chromatic scale extensively in their works. You can listen to one of Debussy’s works which uses a lot of chromaticism here Youtube: La Mer “Play of the Waves” Find out more about a composition technique called serialism which uses all 12 semitones.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Serialism They were lead by an Austrian composer called Arnold Schoenberg. He devised a way of composing using all 12 semitones in a special series called a ‘tone row’. There were strict rules about how the row could be used and manipulated. Back to Chromatic scales At the start of the 20 th century some composers thought no more music could be composed using traditional scales where some notes were more important than others. Later composers developed the technique to include rhythm and other elements of music Read more about serialismRead more about serialism. Read more about Arnold Schoenberg Listen to a piece of music composed using by Schoenberg using a tone row

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Well done! You have completed the part of course about Pentatonic and Chromatic scales Finish this session now or continue to Major scales? Scales Major Scales

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major In Western Music compositions are generally said to be in a ‘key’ that means they use a scale which starts on one of the 12 semitones (the starting note is often called the ‘key note’ or ‘tonic’. Something’s Coming, from West Side Story (which features in some GCSE courses) is written in the key of D major. You can find out more about the song on the BBC Bitesize site ‘Something’s Coming’ on Youtube

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major Major scales are the most commonly used to compose bright, happy confident music. Listen to the major scale starting on C, you will probably recognise the sound pattern. The major scale has the same notes going up and coming down.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major This is the major scale starting on E ♭ You should notice that the pattern or shape of the scale is the same, whatever note it starts on. This is because the pattern of tones and semitones is the same each time. Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Semitone This is the major scale starting on F ♯

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major Follow the pattern in C major: Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone –Semitone C D E F G A B C Play the scale of C major on a keyboard noticing the tone and semitone pattern

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major E ♭ major: Tone – Tone –Semitone–Tone – Tone – Tone –Semitone E ♭ F G A ♭ B ♭ C D E ♭ Play the scale of E ♭ major on a keyboard noticing the tone and semitone pattern

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major Can you work out the notes for the scale of D major: Semi- Semi- Tone – Tone – tone –Tone – Tone – Tone – tone D Use a keyboard to help. Does it sound like the other major scales?

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major Well done if you were correct! Semi- Semi- Tone – Tone – tone –Tone – Tone – Tone – tone D E F ♯ G A B C ♯ D Did you get it right? If you’re struggling with tones and semitones, go back and review the lessons on tones and semitones.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major Major scales are usually associated with music that is happy, positive and confident. Although each major scale has the same pattern of notes, each scale has a subtle different feel to it. Some composers have favourite scales. Some instruments are easier to play in different keys. All these things will affect the scale or ‘key’ you choose to compose in.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major Although a piece of music will have a main or ‘home’ key or scale, different sections of a piece may use different scales. When you change and use a different scale or key part way through a piece it is called a key-change. The correct musical term is modulation.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major It is easy to spot the key change at the end of this X- Factor winning song. The main part of the song is in the key of D major. There is a modulation (at around 3:05) and the last chorus is in the key of E ♭ major Youtube: Matt Cardle on X Factor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Well done! You have completed the part of course about Major scales Finish this session now or continue to Minor scales? Scales Minor Scales

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Minor Each major scale has a related minor scale. To find the related minor scale count down three semitones from the first note of the major scale. The minor scale related to C is A minor (C  B  B ♭  A) Which minor scale is related to E major? Click here for the answer

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Minor Each major scale has a related minor scale. To find the related minor scale count down three semitones from the first note of the major scale. The minor scale related to C is A minor (C  B  B ♭  A) Which minor scale is related to E major? The answer is C ♯ (or D ♭ ) Did you get it right?

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 The first movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 (which features in some GCSE courses) is written in the key of G minor. You can find out more about the piece on the BBC Bitesize site Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 First movement on Youtube (excerpt) Minor Minor scales are usually used in sad or thoughtful compositions.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 The minor scale in Western music has two forms. Harmonic Minor Melodic Minor They are very similar, but are used for different purposes. Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 This is the harmonic minor scale starting on A Just like major scales the pattern of tones and semitones in the harmonic minor scale is the same, whichever note the scale starts on. This is the harmonic minor scale starting on C Harmonic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 In the harmonic minor scale the pattern is the same going up and coming down. Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Semitone – Augmented 2 nd – Semitone Notice the big augmented (aug) 2 nd step. An augmented 2 nd is a tone + a semitone. Harmonic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Follow the pattern in A harmonic minor: Semi- Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – tone – Aug 2 nd – tone A B C D E F G ♯ A Play the scale of A minor on a keyboard noticing the tone, semitone and augmented 2 nd pattern. Harmonic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 C Harmonic Minor Semi- Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – tone – Aug 2 nd – tone C D E ♭ F G A ♭ B C Play the scale of C harmonic minor on a keyboard noticing the tone, semitone and augmented 2 nd pattern Harmonic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Use a keyboard to help. Does it sound like the other harmonic minor scales? Harmonic Minor Semi- Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone –tone – Aug 2 nd – tone D Can you work out the notes for the scale of D harmonic minor?

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 D harmonic minor: Semi- Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone –tone – Aug 2 nd – tone D E F G A B ♭ C ♯ D Did you get it right? If you’re struggling with tones and semitones, go back and review the lessons on tones and semitones. Harmonic Minor Well done if you were correct!

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 The harmonic variant of the minor scale is used, as it’s name suggests, for developing chords and harmony. The chord built on the 5 th note of a scale is very important in Western music. It is known as the ‘dominant chord’. To make the chord built on the 5 th note of a minor scale function properly all the notes in the harmonic minor scale are needed. However, the harmonic minor, with the augmented 2 nd sounds a bit awkward when composing melodies. Harmonic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 This is the melodic minor scale starting on A This is the melodic minor scale starting on C Melodic Minor The melodic minor, as it’s name suggests is used to create tunes and melodies. It doesn’t have the awkward augmented 2 nd step, but it has different patterns going up and coming down so that tunes can harmonise with different chords.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 The melodic minor rising pattern is Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Semitone Melodic Minor The falling pattern is: Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Follow the pattern in A melodic minor rising : Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – tone A B C D E F ♯ G ♯ A Play the scale of A melodic minor rising noticing the pattern of tones and semitones. Melodic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Follow the pattern in A melodic minor falling: Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – tone – Tone – Tone A B C D E F G A Play the scale of A melodic minor falling, remembering to start on a high A. Notice the pattern of tones and semitones. Melodic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 C Melodic Minor rising Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – tone C D E ♭ F G A B C Play the scale of C melodic minor rising on a keyboard noticing the tone and semitone pattern Melodic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 C Melodic Minor falling Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – tone – Tone – Tone C D E ♭ F G A ♭ B ♭ C Play the scale of C melodic minor falling, remembering to start on a high C. Notice the pattern of tones and semitones. Melodic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Melodic Minor Can you work out the notes for the scale of D melodic minor rising and falling? Falling: Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – tone – Tone – Tone Rising: Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – tone

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Melodic Minor Well done if you were you right! Falling: Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – tone – Tone – Tone D E F G A B ♭ C D Rising: Semi- Semi- Tone – tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Tone – tone D E F G A B C ♯ D

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Scales Key signatures appear at the start of a piece of music when it is written down. The sharp and flat symbols indicate which scale or key the piece is based in. This piece has 2 sharps: F ♯ and C ♯ This indicates the piece is in the key of D major or B minor. See a list of all keys and their sharps and flats.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Major Scale Relative Minor Key Sharps/Flats G ♭ Maj E ♭ min B ♭, E ♭,A ♭, D ♭,G ♭, C ♭ (G ♭ Maj and F# Maj are the same scale) D ♭ Maj B ♭ min B ♭, E ♭,A ♭, D ♭,G ♭, A ♭ Maj F minB ♭, E ♭,A ♭, D ♭ E ♭ Maj C minB ♭, E ♭,A ♭ B ♭ Maj G minB ♭, E ♭ F MajD minB♭B♭ Major Scale Relative Minor Key Sharps/Flats C MajA minnone G MajE min F♯F♯ D MajB min F ♯, C ♯ A MajF# min F ♯, C ♯, G ♯ E MajC# min F ♯, C ♯, G ♯, D ♯ B MajG# min F ♯, C ♯, G ♯, D ♯, A ♯ F# MajD# min F ♯, C ♯, G ♯, D ♯, A ♯ E ♯

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Well done! You have finished this short course about scales. If you want to explore some of the ideas some more, you can click on ‘Further information’ to see all the extra links from the course, and a few other interesting links. If you want to test your knowledge you can try the test. Congratulations! Test Visit Sound Junction – use the Shockwave plug in to play around with different scales (may not work in Internet Explorer use Firefox or Chrome instead.)

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Listen to this scale. Is it – Question 1 Wrong! Try again or revise scales? Revise Scales MinorMajorChromatic

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Listen to this scale. Is it – Wrong! Try again or revise scales? Revise Scales MinorMajorChromatic Question 2

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Listen to this scale. Is it – Wrong! Try again or revise scales? Revise Scales Question 3 MinorMajorChromatic

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Listen to this scale. Is it – Melodic MinorHarmonic Minor Question 4

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Listen to this scale. Is it – Wrong! Try again or revise minor scales? Revise Minor Scales Question 4 Melodic MinorHarmonic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Listen to this scale. Is it – Melodic MinorHarmonic Minor Question 5

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Listen to this scale. Is it – Wrong! Try again or revise minor scales? Revise Minor Scales Question 5 Melodic MinorHarmonic Minor

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test The pattern for a major scale is: Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Semitone What is the next note in the scale of G major G A B C D E ? Question 6 F ♯F ♯ G E ♭E ♭

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Wrong! Try again or revise major scales? Revise Major Scales Question 6 The pattern for a major scale is: Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Semitone What is the next note in the scale of G major G A B C D E ? F ♯F ♯ G E ♭E ♭

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test The pattern for a harmonic minor scale is: Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Semitone – Augmented 2 nd – Semitone What is the missing note in the scale of F Minor F G A ♭ B ♭ C ? E F Question 7 E ♯E ♯ D D ♭D ♭

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Wrong! Try again or revise harmonic minor scales? Revise Harmonic Minor Scales Question 7 The pattern for a harmonic minor scale is: Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Semitone – Augmented 2 nd – Semitone What is the missing note in the scale of F Minor F G A ♭ B ♭ C ? E F E ♯E ♯ D D ♭D ♭

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test If you wanted to compose a happy, confident piece of music, which scale would be more appropriate to choose? MinorMajorChromatic Question 8

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test There isn’t a ‘correct’ answer to this question! Major scales are most commonly used for happy, confident music, but if you have a good reason, which you can explain to your teacher, you can choose any scale or key as the foundation for your piece. Question 8 To Question 9

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test If you wanted to compose a sad, mournful piece of music, which scale would be more appropriate to choose? MinorMajorChromatic Question 9

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test There isn’t a ‘correct’ answer to this question! Minor scales are most commonly used for sad, mournful music, but if you have a good reason, which you can explain to your teacher, you can choose any scale or key as the foundation for your piece. Question 9 To Question 10

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Test Stevie Wonder released an album in the 1970s called ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ What key would a song about your life be in? Choose a scale that fits your instrument and your personality (major or minor) and write a short piece using the notes of that scale. Question 10 Perhaps you need more than one key to describe your life! Ask your teacher how to ‘modulate’ or change key within a piece of music. Explain to your teacher why you chose the scale you did.

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Well done! You have finished the test! If you want to explore some of the ideas some more, you can click on ‘Further information’ to see all the extra links from the course, and a few other interesting links. When you are listening to music try to spot what kind of scale the music uses. Experiment with scales from other times and cultures too! Congratulations! Thank you for completing this course!

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 Further information Equal temperament and why the keyboard has 12 semitones. Scales from other times and cultures Youtube video about Pentatonic music Serialism and tone-rows List of key signatures Major scales on Wikipedia Minor scales on Wikipedia BBC Bitesize GCSE Music – Elements of Music Sound Junction – use the Shockwave plug-in to change the key of a simple tune (may not work in Internet Explorer) Sound Junction – use the Shockwave plug-in to change the key of a simple tune (may not work in Internet Explorer) BBC Bitesize GCSE Music – Musical Theatre BBC Bitesize GCSE Music – Mozart

Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 What is a scale and.

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Presentation on theme: "Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 What is a scale and."— Presentation transcript:

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Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 What is a scale and.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Tones & Semitones Contents Scales Minor Major Chromatic Further informationScales Pentatonic Test Developed by Ruth Smalley © 2012 What is a scale and."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

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