Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main advantage of using the pattern to memorize major scales?
What is the main advantage of using the pattern to memorize major scales?
What is the first step in using the pattern to memorize major scales?
What is the first step in using the pattern to memorize major scales?
What happens to notes with accidentals in the original scale when applying the pattern?
What happens to notes with accidentals in the original scale when applying the pattern?
How do you create the C sharp major scale using the pattern?
How do you create the C sharp major scale using the pattern?
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What is unique about the C major scale in terms of applying the pattern?
What is unique about the C major scale in terms of applying the pattern?
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Why is it useful to start with an easy major scale when applying the pattern?
Why is it useful to start with an easy major scale when applying the pattern?
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What is the purpose of the circle of fourths and fifths in relation to the pattern?
What is the purpose of the circle of fourths and fifths in relation to the pattern?
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What is an example of applying the pattern to find the notes in a more difficult scale?
What is an example of applying the pattern to find the notes in a more difficult scale?
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What happens to natural notes in the original scale when applying the pattern?
What happens to natural notes in the original scale when applying the pattern?
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What is the benefit of using the pattern in both directions?
What is the benefit of using the pattern in both directions?
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Study Notes
Memorizing Major Scales
- The pattern allows you to memorize only half of the major scales and still know all of them.
- Focus on the "easier" major scales, which have fewer sharps or flats.
- The pattern is based on the top half of the circle of fourths and fifths.
Pattern Rules
- Step 1: Identify if the scale has sharps or flats.
- Step 2: If the scale has sharps, the opposite scale will have flats, and vice versa.
- Notes with accidentals (sharps or flats) in the original scale become natural notes in the opposite scale.
- Natural notes in the original scale become notes with accidentals in the opposite scale.
Examples of the Pattern
- D major and D flat major scales: both start with the letter D, but have different notes.
- G major and G flat major scales: both start with the letter G, but have different notes.
- A major and A flat major scales: both start with the letter A, but have different notes.
Applying the Pattern
- Start with an easy major scale (e.g., A major) and use the pattern to figure out the notes in a more difficult major scale (e.g., A flat major).
- The pattern works in both directions: you can start with a difficult scale and find the easier scale.
Examples of Applying the Pattern
- F major scale: use the pattern to find the notes in the F sharp major scale.
- B flat major scale: use the pattern to find the notes in the B major scale.
- E flat major scale: use the pattern to find the notes in the E major scale.
Special Case: C Major Scale
- The C major scale has no sharps or flats, so you can create both a C sharp major scale and a C flat major scale.
- Use the pattern to create the C sharp major scale: sharpen every natural note.
- Use the pattern to create the C flat major scale: flatten every natural note.
Additional Resources
- Link to a video about the note C flat and its significance.
- Links to videos about the circle of fourths and fifths.
- Downloadable handouts and quizzes on music theory and major scales.
Memorizing Major Scales
- A pattern exists to memorize only half of the major scales and still know all of them.
- Focus on "easier" major scales with fewer sharps or flats.
Pattern Rules
- Identify if a scale has sharps or flats.
- If a scale has sharps, the opposite scale has flats, and vice versa.
- Notes with accidentals (sharps or flats) in the original scale become natural notes in the opposite scale.
- Natural notes in the original scale become notes with accidentals in the opposite scale.
Pattern Examples
- D major and D flat major scales have different notes despite starting with the letter D.
- G major and G flat major scales have different notes despite starting with the letter G.
- A major and A flat major scales have different notes despite starting with the letter A.
Applying the Pattern
- Start with an easy major scale (e.g., A major) to figure out notes in a more difficult major scale (e.g., A flat major).
- The pattern works in both directions: start with a difficult scale to find an easier scale.
Pattern Applications
- Use F major scale to find notes in F sharp major scale.
- Use B flat major scale to find notes in B major scale.
- Use E flat major scale to find notes in E major scale.
Special Case: C Major Scale
- C major scale has no sharps or flats, allowing creation of C sharp major scale and C flat major scale.
- C sharp major scale: sharpen every natural note.
- C flat major scale: flatten every natural note.
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Description
Learn a pattern to quickly memorize all major scales by focusing on the easier ones and understanding the relationships between sharps and flats. Based on the circle of fourths and fifths.
