DictionaryMajor scale |
Buy sheetmusic at SheetMusicPlus |
In music theory, the major scale or Ionian scale is one of the diatonic scales. It is made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first an octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, (Do)", the "Do" in the parenthesis at the end being the octave of the root. The simplest major scale to write or play on the piano is C major, the only major scale not to require sharps or flats, using only the white keys on the piano keyboard:
StructureA major scale may be seen as two identical tetrachords separated by a whole tone, or whole step, the new set of steps "Whole:Whole:Half:Whole:Whole:Whole:Half"(in Semi-tone 2 2 1 2 2 2 1). Each tetrachord consists of two whole steps followed by a half step. Western scales do not skip any line or space on the staff, and they do not repeat any note with a different accidental. This has the effect of forcing the key signatus. Named scale degrees
The circle of fifthsThe Circle of Fifths, first described in 1728 by Johann David Heinichen in his book Der General-bass, has been used ever since as a means of illustrating the relative harmonic distance between musical keys (Drabkin 2001). The numbers inside the circle show the number of sharps or flats in the key signature, with the sharp keys going clockwise, and the flat keys counterclockwise from C major (which has no sharps or flats.) The circular arrangement depends on enharmonic relationships in the circle, usually reckoned at six sharps or flats for the major keys of F♯ = G♭ and D♯ = E♭ for minor keys (Drabkin 2001). Seven sharps or flats make major keys (C♯ major and C♭ major) that may be more conveniently spelled with five flats or sharps (as D♭ major or B major). Harmonic propertiesThe major scale may predominate the minor scale in Western music because of its unique harmonic properties[citation needed] ; in particular the major third is much stronger in the harmonic series (it is the 5th, 10th and 20th harmonic – see below) than the minor third (the 19th harmonic).[citation needed] In other words, the first six notes of the harmonic series provide a consonant major chord, the fourth to sixth of which form a major triad, and seven of the nine notes between the 8th and 16th harmonics (the 7th and 15th overtones) are notes in the major scale in just intonation.[citation needed] See the following: ![]()
An illustration of the harmonic series as musical notation. The numbers above the harmonic indicate the number of cents it deviates from equal temperament. Red notes are sharp. Blue notes are flat.
The major scale allows:
See also
References
External links
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Major scale". Allthough most Wikipedia articles provide accurate information accuracy can not be guaranteed. |
Glinka, M.
Trio Pathetique
Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet
Barber, S.
Adagio for Strings
Modern Strings
Beethoven, L. van
Sonata No. 8 for Piano & Violin in G major
Duo Rosenthal - Auer
Rachmaninov, S.
Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor
Neil O'Doan
Rachmaninov, S.
Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor
Neil O'Doan
Satie, E.
Sports et Divertissements
Washington Musica Viva