Theory Question

[GOV]

So I was working on a new song and I can't quite figure what scale this would fall under. Right now it only has two flats, E and B the rest is whole notes. How would classify that? The reason I say flats is because I am playing the D and A as well in the riff.

 

[Muzoid]

The rest aren't "whole notes", they are "natural notes"...from a theory perspective.

The 'scale' is either Bb Major, or G minor.

 

[dbhokie]

B flat, and the relative minor G - and what was said above.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Some times a cheat sheet helps, course I look upon them as being reference material or "a little help from a friend".

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Charts help until you understand how to do it yourself. I'm a visual person, love charts.

Here is another that will come in handy:

Major Scale Chart
C D E F G A B...............Notice the C scale has no Sharps
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


Have fun.

 

[GOV]

The rest aren't "whole notes", they are "natural notes"...from a theory perspective.

The 'scale' is either Bb Major, or G minor.

My bad, natural notes is what I meant.

 

[GOV]

Thanks for the help guys! love this site!

 

[Muzoid]

There are several tricks for memorizing key signatures and order of sharps and flats.

Circle Of Fifths is good for keys signatures

Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle - order of Sharps

reversed:

Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father - order of flats

There are several others, find one that works for you

Best of luck....my pleasure to help out.

 

[OmegaBass16]

Thanks Malcolm for that chart info and link. I'm starting to have a light bulb moment.

 

[GOV]

I just realized that I told you the wrong note, but also was able to figure it out for myself due to the wealth of information. Its a A flat, which makes the scale e flat.
Thanks again.