Major Scales & Scale Degrees

Major Scales & Scale Degrees

High School Music Theory

Learners Can:

Lesson Overview

• identify the step pattern of the major scale

• analyze patterns of accidentals in key signatures

• identify scale degrees

• aurally identify major scales

• compose a major scale

Vocabulary

major scale, scale degree, whole step, half step, enharmonic notes

Label the audios as half “H” or whole “W”

Audio 1 Audio 2 Audio 3

Audio 4 Audio 5 Audio 6 Audio 7

Major Scale

• Stepwise motion

• W W H W W W H

• Help create tonality of a key signature

• Very common grouping of pitches

Major Scales Examples Video Edio

Fill in the blanks of the major scale step pattern

W W ___ W ___ W ___

Label the step pattern using carets (half steps) and brackets (whole steps)

Scale Degrees

• The position of a pitch in a scale collection in relation to the first pitch of the scale

• Represented by a number with a caret (^) above it

• There are special names for each scale degree that you will learn later

• First and last note labeled with 1 – the same pitch, different octaves

Circle scale degree 5

Circle scale degree 7

What scale degree is D?

Major Scales Examples

Major Scales Examples

Major Scales Examples

Enharmonic Major Scales

• Enharmonic notes are pitches that have the same frequency but are named differently depending on the context the note is written

• Whether a pitch is written as C# or Db depends on how the melody moves or what key the melody is in

• If ascending chromatic or sharp keys – use the sharp enharmonic

• If descending chromatic or flat key – use the flat enharmonic

• Major scales can be written enharmonically. They will be collections of 7 differently named notes, but will sound as the same pitches

Enharmonic Major Scales Examples

Enharmonic Major Scales Examples

Enharmonic Major Scales Examples

Type the half and whole step pattern of a major scale.Use “H” for half steps and “W” for whole steps.

Complete the G Major scale using quarter notes for a total of 8 ascending stepwise pitches

Scale Roulette – Randomize to get your starting pitch.This will be the name of your major scale. Use the W W H W W W H pattern to draw your scale below.

Summary

In today's lesson, you:

• identified the step pattern of the major scale

• analyzed patterns of accidentals in key signatures

• identified scale degrees

• aurally identified major scales

• composed a major scale