Basic scale query

[Depth_Charge]

I'm a theory noob and know even less about scales etc, but
I've started learning and am looking at the C Major scale (the only scale in my book) but by applying the WWHWWWH formula I applied it to the other notes and came up with this:

C - C D E F G A B C
D - D E F# G A B C C#
E - E F# G# A B C# D# E
F - F G A A# C D E F
G - G A B C D E F# G
A - A B C# D E F# G# A
B - B C# D# E F# G# A# B

Is this correct? I've gone over it 3 times and think it is right, but I'm left with both the F and G scales having 1 sharp each and I wasn't expecting that.

What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your time on this very basic question...feel free to laugh

[Poop-Loops]

Looks right to me. I mean, when in doubt, bust out your bass and apply your scale patterns, and look at which note your finger falls on along the way.

D is wrong though. It's D E F# G A B C# D

[dubblebubble]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I'm a theory noob and know even less about scales etc, but
I've started learning and am looking at the C Major scale (the only scale in my book) but by applying the WWHWWWH formula I applied it to the other notes and came up with this:

C - C D E F G A B C
D - D E F# G A B C C#
E - E F# G# A B C# D# E
F - F G A A# C D E F
G - G A B C D E F# G
A - A B C# D E F# G# A
B - B C# D# E F# G# A# B

Is this correct? I've gone over it 3 times and think it is right, but I'm left with both the F and G scales having 1 sharp each and I wasn't expecting that.

What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your time on this very basic question...feel free to laugh

You can't have two A's in a scale ie A and A# - this would be a Bb - google the circle of 5ths and check it out.

[Zebra]

Looks right except for D. Although if you use proper convention, you never have both a natural note and its accidental (like C and C#) in the same scale. So F should technically have one flat (Bb,) not one sharp. The Circle of Fifths is a great way to get the scales drilled into your head with the right notation too.

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I'm a theory noob and know even less about scales etc, but
I've started learning and am looking at the C Major scale (the only scale in my book) but by applying the WWHWWWH formula I applied it to the other notes and came up with this:

C - C D E F G A B C
D - D E F# G A B C C#
E - E F# G# A B C# D# E
F - F G A A# C D E F
G - G A B C D E F# G
A - A B C# D E F# G# A
B - B C# D# E F# G# A# B

Is this correct? I've gone over it 3 times and think it is right, but I'm left with both the F and G scales having 1 sharp each and I wasn't expecting that.

What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your time on this very basic question...feel free to laugh

you're doing great! they're all correct (lose the C out of D and just have C#) except for F... you should have used a B flat instead of A sharp... the note is the same pitch and is in the same place on your bass (in other words, 'enharmonic') but you can't have an A# and an A natural in the same major key

so F should have been:

F G A Bb C D E F


http://www.teoria.com/reference/scales/05.htm

if you have a look at the above link you'll see that what you've worked out corresponds to the number of sharps in the key signatures shown... i.e. E major has 4 sharps, D major has 2 etc

there's an equal number of major keys that go the other way, i.e. they have notes that are flattened... we looked at F major with 1 flat, the next is Bb major, which has 2 flat notes (Bb and Eb)

so I guess your homework should be to do the other 5 keys you missed out of your list: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db & Gb.. then you'll have worked through all 12 chromatic notes

[Depth_Charge]

Thanks guys! A lot of the theory goes over my head and it's great to have a resource I can bounce ideas off of.

I was obviously too sloppy working out the D scale and forgot the enharmonics vs "same" note value standard on the F.

Working the flats out was a little more difficult, but I ran through 'em and came up with this...if someone is happy to correct me again, I'd be grateful for the help :

Ab - Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab

Bb - Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

Db - Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db

Gb - Gb Ab Bb C D E F Gb

Eb - Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb

Does that look right to you experienced folk? I'll be honest, I'm not confident about Gb and the others are worring me a bit too. But I've run over it a few times now and I THINK they're right.

It's a bit embarrassing actually, on the surface it seems a pretty simple concept to grasp...yet I'm struggling with it.

[dlloyd]

Gb: Gb Ab Bb Db Cb Eb F Gb

[dlloyd]

The next thing you need to be doing is to put the scales in order of numbers of sharps and flats.

eg.

D: 2 #s: D E F# G A B C# D
G: 1 #: G A B C D E F# G
C: 0 #/bs: C D E F G A B C
F: 1 b: F G A Bb C D E F
Bb: 2 bs: Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

etc.

Then make two lists... one with the order the sharps appear in, eg. F, C, etc.
one with the order the flats appear in, eg. B, E, etc.

[Depth_Charge]

I already have that listed out in an article on the Cycle of Fifths in Bass Player Magazine, they list the number of sharps/flats and the natural scale on it...

I just wanted to work the scales out myself using the major scale formula, with a view to learning the other ones (minor and whatever that third one is called) later ...

Thanks again for your help I'll be reviewing these scales, especially my mistakes, over the next few days

[dlloyd]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I already have that listed out in an article on the Cycle of Fifths in Bass Player Magazine, they list the number of sharps/flats and the natural scale on it...

Nevertheless, you should do it for yourself. That's the best way to memorise it.

[Arizona Jones]

"I already have that listed out in an article on the Cycle of Fifths in Bass Player Magazine"

Play with the Circle of Fifths on the neck of your bass and find the pattern.

Start on C "A string @ the third fret" - No Sharps No Flats

Go up to G "E string @ the third fret" - One Sharp No Flats

Go down to D "A string @ the fifth fret" - Two Sharps No Flats

Go up to A "E string @ the fifth fret" - Three Sharps No Flats

Move onto E, B, F#, and C# in the same fashion.

Then you go to F. This is where your flats will start and you'll be moving down the neck in the opposite direction.

The pattern is F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb.

Does this make sense. I like that I can look to my bass for the Circle of Fifths instead of some book or chart.

[Poop-Loops]

Originally Posted by Zebra

Looks right except for D. Although if you use proper convention, you never have both a natural note and its accidental (like C and C#) in the same scale. So F should technically have one flat (Bb,) not one sharp. The Circle of Fifths is a great way to get the scales drilled into your head with the right notation too.

Oooh didn't know that. Good info, thanks.

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by Arizona Jones

Play with the Circle of Fifths on the neck of your bass and find the pattern.

<snip specifics>

Does this make sense? I like that I can look to my bass for the Circle of Fifths instead of some book or chart.

Yes definately! Described like this, application of the Cycle of Fifths on the bass makes much more sense to me than it previously did.

Somewhat reminiscent of a Ju Jitsu concept I learned at a John B Will seminar known as "The Guard Wheel" where various guard positions are marked on a "wheel" and ... oh nevermind...I'm digressing and look forward to practicing my scales etc. with renewed vigour.

Thanks again for the valuable input this forum is excellent !!

[H2ODog]

Here is the circle of fifths

[Arizona Jones]

"look forward to practicing my scales etc. with renewed vigour"

There you go! You are now a master of the Circle of Fifths!