Major & Minor Scales read up if you dont know them!!!

[cassanova]

After reading a couple of Osama_Spears posts, I realize that he has a hard time understanding the concept of scales. This made me think that maybe there are others here as who dont get it either. So I am simply going to write out the scales for him/them.

I am putting them in the order of the circle of 5ths as it was taught to me. This will hopefully help teach you that as well. I probably shouldve looked at this before posting but I forgot about it and am too tired to go back and redo it so if its wrong I apologize. Click here for more info on the Circle of 5ths.

We'll start with the major scales first. Then imediatly underneath it will be its natural minor (aka aeolian mode) This way it'll be easier for you to analize why/what makes it the minor. There are two other variations of the minor scale. They are the harmonic and melodic minor. But we'll get into those once you grasp these.

1.C
C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C

2.G
G-A-B-C-D-E-F-#G
G-A-Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G

3.D
D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D
D-E-F-G-A Bb-C-D

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

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

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

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

8.F
F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F
F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F

9.Bb
Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb
Bb-C-Db-Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb

10.Eb
Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C-D-Eb
Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb-Cb-Db-Eb

11.Ab
Ab-Bb-C-Db-Eb-F-G-Ab
Ab-Bb-Cb-Db-Eb-Fb-Gb-Ab

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


If you notice each of these scales consists of 8 notes. The 8 notes in each scale are numbered 1-8 in numerical order. These numbers are called intervals.

We'll use C as our example because 1. Every other scale is built off it. 2. It contains no sharps or flats. (accidentals) C=1 D=2 E=3 F=4 G=5 A=6 B=7 C=8 (the 1 & 8 play a duel role, it is the root or 1 & the octave or 8) This applies to every key and to both major and minor scales. In this case of C major the 3, 6, & 7 are major. Now, if you look at the scales natural minor you'll notice that the 3, 6, and 7 are one half step (1 fret) lower. Making them a a natural minor. For more detailed information on intervals click here

Hope this helps you to some extent. If you have any question please feel free to ask. I or someone else will be more than willing to help.

Osama, even if you dont understand what Im talking about with the major and minor stuff, All the notes are there for you, so theres no reason you shouldnt be able to learn the scales now. Tke the time to write them down and then practice them.

There will be a quiz on them in the near future to see if you've been trying to learn them.

[moley]

Good work, Cass - but I'm afraid I've got some corrections for you.

E Minor should be E F# G A B C D E. It's F# not F.

B Minor should be B C# D E F# G A B. It's G not G#.

F# Major should be F# G# A# B C# D# E# F#. It's E#, not F.

F Major should be F G A Bb C D E F. It's Bb not A#.

F Minor should be F G Ab Bb C Bb Eb F. It's a flat key, not a sharp key. So, Ab not G#, Bb not A#, and Db not C#. And, it's Eb, not E natural.

Eb Minor should be Eb F Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb. It's a Cb not a C. With the C natural, it's actually Eb Dorian.

Ab Minor should be Ab Bb Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab. They're all flats, no naturals.

C# Major should be C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C#. All sharps, no naturals.

You've gotta remember that each scale can only contain one (no more no less) of each note name. So it can't go F G A A# C, because then, you've got 2 As, and no B. It's gotta have one of each note name in there. Every F scale will be some variation on F G A B C D E, etc.

Also, you've not really gone by the cycle of 5ths there. You have, up until F#, but then you went to F. The order, going by the cycle, should be:

C G D A E B F#/Gb C#/Db G#/Ab D#/Eb Bb F

Also note that you've included C# instead of Db, F# instead of Gb, Ab instead of G#, and Eb instead of D#. I think it's a better idea to include the enharmonics that you will actually see used.

You could see written either F# Major or Gb Major (6 sharps vs 6 flats). Though, you're only likely to see F# Minor (3 sharps), not Gb Minor (too many sharps, not really even a key!). Also, you'll probably see Db Major (5 flats) not C# Major (7 sharps). However, you'll see C# Minor (4 sharps) not Db Minor (too many flats to contemplate!). You'll see G# Minor (5 sharps) not Ab Minor (7 flats), but Ab Major (4 flats) not G# Major (too many sharps to contemplate!). You could see D# Minor or Eb Minor (6 sharps vs 6 flats), but you'll see Eb Major (3 flats) not D# Major.

Here are all the keys I think are worth including:

C Major
G Major
D Major
A Major
E Major
B Major
F# Major
Gb Major
Db Major
Ab Major
Eb Major
Bb Major
F Major

A Minor
E Minor
B Minor
F# Minor
C# Minor
G# Minor
D# Minor
Eb Minor
Bb Minor
F Minor
C Minor
G Minor
D Minor

Now, you will see chord symbols written for ones not included there - for example, you might see Abm, or Dbm. But, you won't see a tune written in the key of Abm or Dbm - IME. Now that I've said that, some wiseass is probably gonna find me a counter example to prove me wrong

Still, I'm gonna stick by it. You wouldn't write a piece in Abm, you'd write it in G# minor. The reason is, the key signature is more friendly. G# minor only has 5 sharps, whereas Ab minor would have 7 flats.

I contend that I've never seen a piece written in any key that's not in that list I gave you. Technically, Ab minor (and Cb major therefore) exist as keys - the key signature is 7 flats - Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb, but IME you don't see it used.

Whereas, G# major, for example - I'm not sure even exists as a key. The G# Major scale would be:

G# A# B# C# D# E# Fx

Where Fx means F Double-Sharp. I've never seen a key signature with double sharps in

Of course, not that you used G# Major in your list - I'm just giving some background info




And, as a minor (no pun intended) point, I'd say the scales contain 7 notes, not 8. They only contain 7 different notes, as soon as you add an 8th, you're repeating yourself. Sure, you tend to play them with 8 (at least) - as they sound more complete, but the scales themselves are 7 notes.

[cassanova]

Originally posted by moley
Good work, Cass - but I'm afraid I've got some corrections for you.

F# Major should be F# G# A# B C# D# E# F#. It's E#, not F.

Ab Minor should be Ab Bb Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab. They're all flats, no naturals.

C# Major should be C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C#. All sharps, no naturals.

Good Golly Miss Moley,
I was always taught there is no such notes as: E#, Fb & B#.

As for the other corrections you made, I dunno what you're talking about. You better look again I dont see them. HEHEHE

You've gotta remember that each scale can only contain one (no more no less) of each note name. So it can't go F G A A# C, because then, you've got 2 As, and no B. It's gotta have one of each note name in there.

Gard & I were talkin about this just last night too. I cant believe I posted 2 of the same notes in the scale. I still was always taught that there was no such notes as the ones I mentioned above though. That could be why I listed them as such. Humor me here OK. For all intensive purposes it IS the same note.

Also, you've not really gone by the cycle of 5ths there. You have, up until F#, but then you went to F. The order, going by the cycle, should be:

C G D A E B F#/Gb C#/Db G#/Ab D#/Eb Bb F

I was actually gonna do it in that order. I dont fully have the circle commited to memory yet, but I tried doing it from memory and couldnt quite remember if you kept taking the scale clocwise around the entire circle. Or stopped at F#/Gb then started on F and worked your way counter clockwise to C#/Db. It was really late when I posted the thread. But thats no excuse because now that Im wide awake it makes sense to keeping going around clockwise to complete the circle. Im also thinkin "DUH" I knew that. I also said I could be wrong about the cirlce so thats why I provided the link. Just in case I was wrong he could have a correct reference.


Also note that you've included C# instead of Db, F# instead of Gb, Ab instead of G#, and Eb instead of D#. I think it's a better idea to include the enharmonics that you will actually see used.

You're right. I was trying to keep it as simple as possible for him right now because he says he's read all the threads on scales and still doesnt get it. I thought I did use Ab though. I think I have it listed as #11.

.

G# major, for example - I'm not sure even exists as a key. Its gotta exist somewhere because theres a G# note. Right? Not sayin that to discredit you. But it just sounds logical to me.

Where Fx means F Double-Sharp. I've never seen a key signature with double sharps in

I may not have known how to read it all that great back in my youth, but I dont ever recall seeing a Double Sharp in any piece of music either. Id definatly remember seeing something like that.

Of course, not that you used G# Major in your list - I'm just giving some background info

Its all good. I dont claim or even pretend to be an expert on the theory topic. So any little bit of information I can pick up is valuable to me.




And, as a minor (no pun intended) point, I'd say the scales contain 7 notes, not 8. They only contain 7 different notes, as soon as you add an 8th, you're repeating yourself. Sure, you tend to play them with 8 (at least) - as they sound more complete, but the scales themselves are 7 notes.

I agree with you on that. I know that when you play the 8th you're repeating yourself. I was merely trying explain to him why the root is also called the 8th. Just tryin to keep it as simple as possible right now thats all.

BTW..thanks for makin me feel like I dont know what I was doing

Seriously, I appriciate the corrections. Was stupid mistakes on my part that couldve been prevented if I had just gotten off my lazy @ss gotten my book and double checked my work a bit better. Id also hate for him or anyone else to look like an idiot quoting what I said to someones, then goin "well cass told me it was like that"

[moley]

Originally posted by Mama Cass
Good Golly Miss Moley

LOL! I gotta give it to ya, that's a good 'un. A whole lot more original than "Holy Moley", "Wholly Moley", "Guacamole" etc.

I was always taught there is no such notes as: E#, Fb & B#.

Heh, well there are. E# sounds the same as F, Fb sounds the same as E, and B# sounds the same as C.

But, yes, they do exist, and from a theory point of view, in scales, Fb and E are not the same.

Whoever taught you that E#, Fb and B# don't exist (did they also teach you that Cb doesn't exist?) was WRONG

As for the other corrections you made, I dunno what you're talking about You better look again I dont see them. HEHEHE



Gard & I were talkin about this just last night too. I cant believe I posted 2 of the same notes in the scale. I still was always taught that there was no such notes as the ones I mentioned above though. That could be why I listed them as such. Humor me here OK. For all intensive purposes it IS the same note.

Well, they have the same pitch. But you're only gonna confuse matters if you start talkin' 'bout A#s in an F Major scale And from a theory point of view, it's incorrect.

Ya know what, I was actually gonna do it like that too. I dont fully have the circle commited to memory yet, but I tried doing it from memory and couldnt quite remember if you kept taking the scale clocwise around the entire circle. Or stopped at F#/Gb then started on F and worked your way counter clockwise to C#/Db. It was really late when I posted it. But thats not excuse because now that Im wide awake it makes sense to keeping going around clockwise to complete the circle. I also said I could be wrong about the cirlce so thats why I provided the link as well.

Cool. It's not a problem, anyway, I just thought I'd point it out.

You're right. I was trying to keep it as simple as possible for him right now because he says he's read all the threads on scales and still doesnt get it. I thought I did use Ab though. I think I have it listed as #11.

You did use Ab, but not G#. You used Ab Minor rather than G# Minor. Which is cool, if you wanna play in Ab Minor, but from a practical standpoint, I think G# Minor is more useful to know.

Its gotta exist somewhere because theres a G# note. Right? Not sayin that to discredit you. But it just sounds logical to me.

Yeah. I don't really know the answer. Someone (Pac, Durrl?) wanna chime in? I've never seen a piece notated in G# Major, and doing so would involve having a double sharp in the key signature. Is that valid?

I may not have known how to read it all that great back in my youth, but I dont ever recall seeing a Double Sharp in any piece of music either. Id definatly remember seeing something like that.

They do occur in music, but I've only ever seen them as accidentals. The symbol for double-sharp is an x, like in the example I gave. Double flats exist too, and the symbol for that is just 2 flats - e.g. Ebb.

They tend to occur in pieces with key signatures with lots of sharps/flats. For example, if you're in G# Minor, the raised 7th will be a Fx (F double sharp). Because, it is a raised 7th, not a flattened root. So it wouldn't be G natural, it'd be Fx.

BTW..thanks for makin me feel like I dont know what I was doing

lol, sorry, I wasn't trying to do that. I just thought it best that people learn the correct note names for the scales.

[PollyBass]

Gee, I usre hope Moley see there is notin wrong with my post.

He might write a 15 page essay on the crap.

[moley]

Originally posted by PollyBass
Gee, I usre hope Moley see there is notin wrong with my post.

He might write a 15 page essay on the crap.

Polly, the day you make a post about theory... well, we'll all have died from the pole shift, which will have coincided with hell freezing over.

[PollyBass]

Originally posted by moley


Polly, the day you make a post about theory...

And what makes you think I don't know a great deal of it?

Sounds kind of arogant to me.

Maybe I don't think I need to be a walking theory correction book.

There IS more to bass playing then theory, I hope you know. Say, playing bass in a band, and gigging.

Gigging. Not a computer microphone,,,, gigging.

I try to let emotian flow thru my bass rather than learned theory, so I guess I don't see the need to discuss it.

Good idea cass.

Thats all I have to say in this thread.

[cassanova]

LOL! I gotta give it to ya, that's a good 'un. A whole lot more original than "Holy Moley", "Wholly Moley", "Guacamole" etc.

Glad you like it

I was always taught there is no such notes as: E#, Fb & B#.

Heh, well there are. E# sounds the same as F, Fb sounds the same as E, and B# sounds the same as C.

But, yes, they do exist, and from a theory point of view, in scales, Fb and E are not the same.

I really never knew that. Thanks!!


Well, they have the same pitch. But you're only gonna confuse matters if you start talkin' 'bout A#s in an F Major scale And from a theory point of view, it's incorrect.

Thats one of the things I really hate about theory.



You're right. I was trying to keep it as simple as possible for him right now because he says he's read all the threads on scales and still doesnt get it. I thought I did use Ab though. I think I have it listed as #11.

You did use Ab, but not G#. You used Ab Minor rather than G# Minor. Which is cool, if you wanna play in Ab Minor, but from a practical standpoint, I think G# Minor is more useful to know.

Its gotta exist somewhere because theres a G# note. Right? Not sayin that to discredit you. But it just sounds logical to me.


They do occur in music, but I've only ever seen them as accidentals. The symbol for double-sharp is an x, like in the example I gave. Double flats exist too, and the symbol for that is just 2 flats - e.g. Ebb.

The only time Ive ever seen anything double flatted or sharped has been on chord charts. like a ##5 or bb7 or somethin like that.


lol, sorry, I wasn't trying to do that. I just thought it best that people learn the correct note names for the scales.

I know, Im really glad you corrected me. I wouldnt want someone learning the wrong note names either.

[Osama_Spears]

hey...just skimmed this thread.


I apoligize for sounding like a dumbass.

and I appreciate the time you took to help me...


thanks alot man!

[Osama_Spears]

just copied 'em down...about to go try 'em out.


again...cass,thanks for taking your time to do this for me.


*HUG!*


...ok,sorry

[moley]

Originally posted by PollyBass


And what makes you think I don't know a great deal of it?

Sounds kind of arogant to me.

Maybe I don't think I need to be a walking theory correction book.

There IS more to bass playing then theory, I hope you know. Say, playing bass in a band, and gigging.

Gigging. Not a computer microphone,,,, gigging.

I try to let emotian flow thru my bass rather than learned theory, so I guess I don't see the need to discuss it.

Good idea cass.

Thats all I have to say in this thread.

LOL, don't take it so seriously, Polly...

[cassanova]

[quote]Originally posted by Osama_Spears
just copied 'em down...about to go try 'em out.
again...cass,thanks for taking your time to do this for me.

No problem, thats what this forum/sites all about. Glad I could be of some help. Dont forget to thank Moley too because if it werent for him/her you'd be learning some of the scales with the wrong enharmonic names, (same note, but wrong in theory terms)

[Osama_Spears]

[quote]Originally posted by cassanova

Originally posted by Osama_Spears
just copied 'em down...about to go try 'em out.
again...cass,thanks for taking your time to do this for me.

No problem, thats what this forum/sites all about. Glad I could be of some help. Dont forget to thank Moley too because if it werent for him/her you'd be learning some of the scales with the wrong enharmonic names, (same note, but wrong in theory terms)

crap...I gotta change 'em a bit.


so,the Bb would be C?


I am getting used to the note names and stuff already.

I learned 2 scales tonight...gonna go for 4 tomorrow...this is fun

[Osama_Spears]

dun mean to be a pest...but can yah repost the correct versions of the 12 maj. scales?

I'd greatly appreciate it,thanks!

[stephanie]

C Major:
C D E F G A B C

G Major:
G A B C D E F# G

D Major:
D E F# G A B C# D

A Major:
A B C# D E F# G# A

E Major:
E F# G# A B C# D# E

B Major:
B C# D# E F# G# A# B
/
Cb Major:
Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb Cb

F# Major:
F# G# A# B C# D# E# F#
/
Gb Major:
Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb

C# Major:
C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C#
/
Db Major:
Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db

G# Major:
G# A# B# C# D# E# F## G#
/
Ab Major:
Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab

D# Major:
D# E# F## G# A# B# C## D#
/
Eb Major:
Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb

Bb Major:
Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

F Major:
F G A Bb C D E F

*Hope these are correct. Some scales, I'm sure, aren't really used (like D# Major). I put them in there to show enharmonics (notes that are played on the same fret and string but have 2 different names).

[cassanova]

Natural minors in what should now be the propor order of the circle of fifths C-G-D-A-E-B-F#/Gb-C#/Db- G#/Ab-D#/Eb-Bb-F



1.C

C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C

2.G

G-A-Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G

3.D

D-E-F-G-A Bb-C-D

4.A

A B C D E F G A

5.E

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

6.B

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

7.F#

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

8.C#

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

9.Ab

Ab-Bb-Cb-Db-Eb-Fb-Gb-Ab

10.Eb

Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb-Cb-Db-Eb

11.Bb

Bb-C-Db-Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb

12.F

F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F

[moley]

You nailed it this time, Cass ...

...but for one mistake, you posted C# Major instead of C# Minor (no.8 on the minors list).

[moley]

Originally posted by cassanova
...Dont forget to thank Moley too because if it werent for him/her...

Him, definitely

[cassanova]

Originally posted by moley
You nailed it this time, Cass ...

...but for one mistake, you posted C# Major instead of C# Minor (no.8 on the minors list).

correction made.

[moley]

Originally posted by cassanova


correction made.

Cool.

You nailed it this time, Cass