Question about theory (specifically scales)

beelzelboss · #1 07-04-2010, 05:45 PM

I was shown this website a few months ago and am finally giving it some use!
http://www.activebass.com/basics/theory.asp
The only thing I don't understand is on this page, and a few others

http://www.activebass.com/basics/stable.asp

they have a b in front of the number. If you look at the first one, it has a b3, b5, b7. What does that mean?

Secondly, when it says just a number, is that the number of frets away from the root note (I am assuming R means root note), or is it the number of whole steps that you take?
So could someone take the first one, the blues scale, which is

R, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7

and show me what it would be if the root were a E? or a G, or what ever is easiest? I would like to know how to really put this website to use, so I need to know how it works.
Thank you!

Elrend · #2 07-04-2010, 05:58 PM

The b is an accidental known as the flat, which in western notation indicates that the note is to be played a semitone lower (a half step)

So the blues scale in E would be:

R - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b7
E - G - A - Bb - B - D

Edit:

Oh and in G:

R - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b7
G - Bb - C - Db - D - F

**Pacman** · #3 07-04-2010, 05:59 PM

the 'b' means flat.

So the blues scale is Root, flat 3rd, 4th, flat fifth, fifth, and flat 7th.

In E, that would be E G A Bb B D

make sense?

MalcolmAmos · #4 07-04-2010, 06:00 PM

We all three posted at the same time.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

I was shown this website a few months ago and am finally giving it some use!
http://www.activebass.com/basics/theory.asp
The only thing I don't understand is on this page, and a few others

http://www.activebass.com/basics/stable.asp

they have a b in front of the number. If you look at the first one, it has a b3, b5, b7. What does that mean?

The "b3" means the 3rd note is to be flatted, i.e. a major chord is made of the 1-3-5 notes of the 1's scale. A minor chord is made of the 1-b3-5 notes of the 1's MAJOR scale. C chord is made of the C, E & G notes. A Cm chord is made of the C, Eb, G notes. If it was shown as #2 then you would sharp the 2nd note of the scale.

Quote:

Secondly, when it says just a number, is that the number of frets away from the root note (I am assuming R means root note), or is it the number of whole steps that you take?
So could someone take the first one, the blues scale, which is

R, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7

and show me what it would be if the root were a E? or a G, or what ever is easiest? I would like to know how to really put this website to use, so I need to know how it works.
Thank you!

OK lets do E. The E major scale is:
Interval number 1, 2,... 3,... 4, 5, 6,... 7,. 8.
Scale note..........E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E

Now as blues scale is made of the R (E), the b3 (G), 4 (A), b5 (Bb), 5 (B) and b7 (D).

Your question about the number being the nunber of frets away from the root note. No it's the notes of the scale in scale degrees. 2 would indicate the 2nd note in the scale. If it was shown as b2 it would still be the 2nd note in the scale, but you are to flat that note - because of the "b".

beelzelboss · #5 07-04-2010, 06:30 PM

Okay thanks guys, so, for example, how am I suppose to know what the second note in the scale is? I guess I'm missing something.

Keep in mind I don't really know much about theory, so explain it as easy as possible.

I know in the major scale is w-w-h-w-w-w-h, so what would it look like then?

Thanks

**lowendfriend** · #6 07-04-2010, 06:39 PM

you might do better with :

http://www.studybass.com

An excellent site for learning and its free. Andrew has a well done site there that I've found very helpful and revisit with regularity.

MalcolmAmos · #7 07-04-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

Okay thanks guys, so, for example, how am I suppose to know what the second note in the scale is? I guess I'm missing something. Keep in mind I don't really know much about theory, so explain it as easy as possible. I know in the major scale is w-w-h-w-w-w-h, so what would it look like then?
Thanks

If you take the chromatic scale, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C - then apply the WWHWWWH to it you end up with the notes in the C major scale. Notice C#/Db is one note with two names. It's a black key on the piano. If you really need to know why ask, otherwise just accept it and move on. Or you can just look at your handy dandy scale chart. Now WHWWHWW is the "formula" for the natural minor scale. Your handy dandy scale chart follows.

Major Scale Chart
C D E F G A B...............Notice the C scale has no Sharps........... The 2 of the C scale is D, the 5 is G
G A B C D E F#.............and the G scale has one, the F#
D E F# G A B C#...........and the D scale keeps the F# and
A B C# D E F# G#.........adds the C#. Then the A scale keeps
E F# G# A B C# D#.......everything and adds the G#. See how
B C# D# E F# G# A#.....it builds on it's self.
F# G# A# B C# D# E#
C# D# E# F# G# A# B#
F G A Bb C D E.............Look what happens with the flat scales
Bb C D Eb F G A...........F has one the Bb, then the Bb scale keeps
Eb F G Ab Bb C D.........it's self and adds the the Eb. Same thing
Ab Bb C Db Eb F G.......the sharp scales did...
Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C
Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F
Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb
Memory pegs:
See God Destroy All Earth By F#irey C#haos. Order of the scales with sharps.
Fat cats go down alleys eating birds. Order of the sharps.
Farmer brown eats apple dumplings greasily cooked. Order of the scales with flats.
The key signature is showing three sharps. What scale has three sharps? C has none, G has one, D has two, A has three. Which sharps? Fat = F#, Cat = C# and Go = G# so the A major scale has three sharps, F#, C# and G#.

Natural Minor Scale Chart
A B C D E F G ................Notice how the 6th column of the
E F# G A B C D................Major scale becomes the 1st column
B C# D E F# G A..............in the minor scale and how the 7th
F# G# A B C# D E............column of the Major scale is now the
C# D# E F# G# A B..........2nd column in the minor scale. And
G# A# B C# D# E F#........yep, the 1st column in the Major scale
D# E# F# G# A# B C#......is now the 3rd column, etc. etc.
A# B# C# D# E# F# G#....Ask your self why? Hint, think relative minor.
D E F G A Bb C
G A Bb C D Eb F
C D Eb F G Ab Bb
F G Ab Bb C Db Eb
Bb C Db Eb F Gb Ab
Eb F Gb Ab Bb Cb Db
Ab Bb Cb Db Eb Fb Gb

As The major and natural minor scale chart, all on one page, is hard to find I recommend you print this off and keep it handy. Learn those memory pegs and between that and the WWHWWWH formula you will be able to figure out the notes in any scale with out looking at the chart. Until you get comfortable, check yourself with the chart.

Have fun.

beelzelboss · #8 07-04-2010, 10:44 PM

Wow. Thanks guys!! Now it makes more sense.

JTE · #9 07-05-2010, 01:10 PM

Because you know W W H W W W H, use that to work out for yourself all the major scales, using MalcomAmos's post to check your work. I feel this is a critical aspect of actually learning this stuff instead of just memorizing it. "Knowing" W W H W W W H is a lot more than just remembering two whole steps, a half step, three whole steps, and a half step. It's being able to determine on paper and in you head, sans instrument, the CORRECT notes in any major key. That includes knowing why the key of E has a G#, not an Ab.

Then you're ready to alter the scale to generate the pentatonic minor (1, b3, 4, 5, b7), pentatonic major ( 1, 2, 3, 5, 6), blues (Pentatonic minor with the b5 added between 4 & 5), etc.

It's also the only useful way to learn the modes. Learning Dorian as 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7 will give musical knowledge and utility. Learning it as the major scale started on the second note is pretty useless.

OWN the major scale, it's the basic building block for learning theory in an organized and practical manner.

John