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Major
and Minor Scales
The next step in learning to distinguish major from minor
is learning to hear the difference between major and minor
scales.
A scale is a collection of tones arranged in a particular
order. This collection of tones traverses the interval of
the octave. The first note of the scale is particularly
important; in tonal music it is called the tonic. There
are two primary types of scale in tonal music, major and
minor. A given scale takes its name from the first note
and the type of the scale. For example, the major scale
whose first note is C is called the "C major scale."
When we speak of mode in relation to tonal music, we are
referring to the scale type; thus music which uses a major
scale is said to be in the major mode.
Major and minor scales can be most easily distinguished
by focusing on the relationship between the first and third
pitches in the scale.
The Major Scale
The major scale is the simpler of the two main kinds of
scale. It is represented graphically below.
Video Example 1:
Major scale
You may want to play the example a few times to help you
to recognize this scale later.
The Minor Scale
The minor scale is more complicated than the major scale
because it comes in three varieties. The three kinds of
minor scale are called the natural minor scale, the harmonic
minor scale, and the melodic minor scale. For the purposes
of this mini-course it is not necessary for you to understand
or to hear the differences between the three kinds of minor
scale. All three start off the same way and are the same
for pitches one through five of the scale. You should learn
to recognize the pattern of these first five pitches. One
of the minor scales, the natural minor scale, is represented
both graphically and musically below.
Video
Example 2: Natural minor scale
Again, you may
want to play the example a few times to help you to recognize
this scale later.
If you want to understand exactly what the three types of
minor scale are and how they differ, click here [Three
Types of Minor Scales]. If not, continue reading to
find out how to hear the difference between major and minor
scales.
Major and Minor Scales: Telling the Difference
The most reliable
way to tell the difference between major and minor scales
is by focusing on the lower part of the scale. In particular,
of the first five notes of the scale, only one, the third
note, is ever different between major and minor scales.
Video
Example 3: Major and minor scale
Notice especially
the relationship between the third notes and the first.
The interval between them is a third -- in the major scale
this third is a major third, and in the minor scale(s) (of
all types) it is a minor third.
Listen a few
times to that last example until you feel that you have
a good grasp of the difference. Now listen again to some
examples of complete major and minor scales. So long as
you know that the scale you will hear will be either major
or minor, you don't need to hear the whole scale -- you
can tell as soon as you've heard the third note.
Video
Example 4: Melodic minor scale
Practicing
Hearing Major and Minor Scales
The construction
of major and minor scales is one of the more complicated
topics in this mini-course. Although it has required more
explanation, the focus of the lesson is not on understanding
concepts, but on preparing you to learn to hear the difference
between major and minor scales. It is in the training environment
that you will learn how to do this. Before going there,
listen to the major and minor scales below a few times.
You will not be asked to tell the difference between melodic
minor and harmonic minor scales. You will hear each kind,
but you will only need to identify them as minor scales.
If you have trouble distinguishing the examples below, you
may wish to review parts of this lesson, review the previous
lesson, or go back to the previous lesson's training environment.
When you feel ready, enter the training environment for
major and minor scales. Continue with this environment,
or with reviews, until you feel comfortable in your ability
to distinguish major and minor scales reliably.
Audio
Example 1: Major scale
Audio
Example 2: Harmonic minor scale
Audio
Example 3: Melodic minor scale
Review Sonic
Glossary Entry Third
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