Developing reference
Major Scale
Understand the major scale, its authoritative construction, tonal character, and role in melody, harmony, and interval study.
Music theory reference
Scales
Pitch collections, their construction, sound, and musical uses.
Topics
Developing reference
Natural Minor Scale
Understand the natural minor scale, its authoritative construction, characteristic degrees, and relationship to minor tonality and Aeolian mode.
Developing reference
Harmonic Minor Scale
Understand the harmonic minor scale, its authoritative raised-seventh construction, distinctive spacing, and role in minor-key harmony.
Developing reference
Melodic Minor Scale
Understand the melodic minor scale, its authoritative construction, raised upper degrees, and varied use across musical practices.
Developing reference
Major Pentatonic Scale
Understand the five-note major pentatonic scale, its authoritative construction, open character, and practical relationship to the major scale.
Developing reference
Minor Pentatonic Scale
Understand the five-note minor pentatonic scale, its authoritative construction, characteristic spacing, and relationship to natural minor and blues.
Developing reference
Blues Scale
Understand the six-note minor blues scale, its authoritative hexatonic construction, expressive tension, and relationship to minor pentatonic.
Developing reference
Chromatic Scale
Understand the chromatic scale as the complete twelve-pitch collection of equal temperament and a framework for chromatic movement.
Developing reference
Whole Tone Scale
Understand the six-note whole tone scale, its equal spacing, symmetrical structure, and connection to augmented harmony.
Developing reference
Octatonic Scale
Understand the octatonic, or diminished, scale as an eight-note symmetrical collection with alternating semitone and whole-tone steps.
Developing reference
Modes of the Major Scale
Understand the seven major-scale modes as related interval structures with distinct tonics, characteristic degrees, and harmonic contexts.
Developing reference
Ionian Mode
Understand Ionian as the first mode of the major-scale family and how its modal role differs from the major-scale reference concept.
Developing reference
Dorian Mode
Understand Dorian as the second major-scale mode, a minor collection distinguished by its natural sixth degree.
Developing reference
Phrygian Mode
Understand Phrygian as the third major-scale mode, a minor collection characterised by its semitone above the tonic.
Developing reference
Lydian Mode
Understand Lydian as the fourth major-scale mode, a major collection distinguished by its raised fourth degree.
Developing reference
Mixolydian Mode
Understand Mixolydian as the fifth major-scale mode, a major collection with a lowered seventh and a close link to dominant harmony.
Developing reference
Aeolian Mode
Understand Aeolian as the sixth mode of the major-scale family and how its modal role differs from the natural-minor scale reference.
Developing reference
Locrian Mode
Understand Locrian as the seventh major-scale mode, a minor collection with lowered second and fifth degrees and an unstable tonic triad.