Scale Formations

1. Scale Formations Something old; Something new; Something borrowed �

2. Scales The Common Practice period is almost entirely based upon major and minor scales. Some believe that the minor scale is just a different color as opposed to a different scale. Composers began to experiment with different scales. Because the major/minor system was so entrenched for so long, the old modal scales sounded as new to the audiences at the beginning of the twentieth-century as some of the newer formations. It is unusual to find compositions based entirely on one scale, except for compositions using chromatic and microtonal scales.

3. Five-Note Scales Pentatonic only means five notes, however it is often used to refer to the scale that is constructed of only major seconds and minor thirds (aka the anhemitonic pentatonic scale). This scale is often used to suggest an Oriental flavor, but is also very common in folk and children�s songs. There are five modes because any member of the scale can serve as tonic. Limited source for melodic pitch material or tertian harmonies. The accompaniment will either be nonpentatonic, nontertian, or both. Other five-note scales employing minor seconds and major thirds, etc., are possible but less common in Western music.

4. Six-Note Scales The only one really used in the twentieth century is the whole tone scale. It is made up entirely of whole steps, one of which is a diminished third - equal division of the octave. There are only two possible versions of the scale before duplicating the pitch-class content. It is most strongly associated with Impressionism (Debussy) but is found in the music of other composers. The whole tone scale is more limited than the pentatonic scale both melodically and harmonically.

5. Seven-Note Scales The diatonic modes became popular among some composers in the early part of the twentieth century. The major types are: The Lydian scale has a raised 4th scale degree. The Mixolydian scale has a lowered seventh scale degree.

6. Seven-Note Scales The minor types are: The Aeolian scale is the same as the natural minor. The Dorian scale has a raised 6th scale degree. The Phrygian scale has a lowered 2nd scale degree. The Locrian scale (obviously NOT used in the Renaissance) has lowered 2nd and 5th scale degrees. Sometimes the modal key signature is used and sometimes composers use the standard major or minor key signature and then add the necessary accidentals.

7. Seven-Note Scales Other possible seven-note scales are possible, using only major and minor seconds, or using the seeming endless combinations other intervals. None of these are used as frequently as the diatonic modes.

8. Eight-Note Scales Octatonic only means eight notes, but is usually used to refer to a scale consisting of alternating whole steps and half steps. The scale is also referred to as the diminished scale because any two nonenharmonic diminished seventh chords will combine to create this scale. It is another example of the equal division of the octave. The scale may begin with a half step or a whole step. There are only three possible versions of the scale before duplicating the pitch-class content. The use of the whole tone and modal scales declined as the century progressed, but use of the octatonic scale has continued. The octatonic scale is often used in jazz.

9. Other Scales Many passages use all or nearly all twelve pitches -- the chromatic scale. Sometimes only the melody uses all twelve, sometimes the harmony, and sometimes both. Microtonal scales use intervals smaller than a minor second. The most commonly used microtone is a quarter-step. Several different ways of indicating quarter-tones have been devised. Other cultures, including the ancient Greeks, used other microtones.

10. Other Scales Olivier Messiaen used what he called Modes of Limited Transposition. These scales have less than twelve transpositions before the pitch-class content is duplicated. They consist of six to ten notes. The whole tone scale and the octatonic scale are members of this group. Sometimes the composer would use more than two or more scale types simultaneously.