Scales
The Major Scale
It's time to learn your do-re-mi's! These syllables
are most useful in communicating scale degrees.
F-MAJOR SCALE (one flat), the relative major of D-minor .
 In fixed do, C is always do.
In movable do, do is the tonic of the key signature.

The syllable ti is
also called si.

It is very important to memorize the pattern
of whole and half-steps in the major scale.

  W W  H  W W W  H  
Minor scales and modes are most often described by how they compare to the major scale. The white notes on the keyboard are the notes of the C-major scale.

One way to remember the pattern of steps is that in movable do (see above) the half-steps occur above mi and ti, the only syllables that end in i.

Memorize the pattern!! Say it out loud:
Whole-step, Whole-step, Half-step,
Whole-step, Whole-step, Whole-step, Half-step
The scale degrees also are referred to by Roman Numerals, especially in harmonic analysis, and by special names as shown at right. 1 - I
2 - II
3 - III
4 - IV
5 - V
6 - VI
7 - VII		 - Root
- Second
- Third
- Fourth
- Fifth
- Sixth
- Seventh		 - tonic
- supertonic
- mediant
- subdominant
- dominant
- submediant
- subtonic or leading tone
If you've had enough of
SCALES
 try the scales quiz.
Page Top Next