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1 sharp
F
1 flat
2 sharps
2 flats B flat
3 sharps
3 flats E flat
4 sharps
4 flats
5 flats, 7 sharps
C sharp/D flat
6 flats, 6 sharps
F sharp/G flat
7 flats, 5 sharps
B/C flat
A flat
Scales
Transposition
Key Signatures
Modes
Solfeggio
Scales
The Major Scale
A scale is a group of pitches (scale degrees) arranged
in ascending order. These pitches span an octave.
Diatonic scales are scales that include half and whole
steps. The first and last note is the tonic. It is the most
'stable' note, or rather the easiest to find. Because of
this, diatonic melodies often end on the diatonic note.
The other notes in the scale also have names. The
second note is the supertonic. The third is the
mediant, halfway between the tonic and dominant.
Pentatonic Scales
A Natural Minor Scale
The Harmonic Minor Scale
Range
Final Half
Similar Scale
Dorian
D to D
D
2-3, 6-7
minor scale with raised sixth degree
Natural
Phrygian
E to E E
1-2, 5-6
scale with lowered second degree
Natural minor
Lydian
F to F F
raised fourth degree
4-5, 7-8
Mixolydian G to G
G
3-4, 6-7
scale with lowered seventh degree
Major
Aeolian
A to A
natural minor scale
2-3, 5-6
Same as
Ionian
C to C
major scale
3-4, 7-8
Same as
Locrian
B to B
B
1-2, 4-5
Natural
minor with a lowered second and fifth degree.
Modes may begin on any tone as long as the
arrangements of half and whole steps remain the
same. The identity of a transposed mode can be
quickly determined since the final of each mode lies in
the same relationship to the tonic of the major with the
same key signature.
Solfeggio
Often, solfeggio is used to help with practicing. The
solfeggio syllables are associated with the notes in a
given scale. The syllable Do (pronounced dough, or
doe), corresponds to the tonic. The next syllable (in
ascending order) is Re (say 'ray'). Re corresponds to
the supertonic. Mi (say 'me') is the next syllable. Mi
corresponds to the mediant. Fa (long a) comes next,
corresponding to the subdominant. Sol (say 'so') is the
syllable that corresponds to the dominant. La (long a)
is the syllable that corresponds to the submediant. Ti
(say 'tea') corresponds to the leading tone.
Sol is the thumb facing the ceiling the rest of the hand
is out straight.
Fa is a thumbs down.
Mi is the hand held flat.
Re is a flat hand help up straight out and then raised
to about a 30 degree angle. Both Mi and Re have palm
side down.