131 Comprehensive Review of Scales

19 Scale Possibilities

It is not difficult to identify and notate scales, but the challenge is in sorting and categorizing our way through large amounts of information. We must now find rational methods to identify diatonic, modal, and non-diatonic scales quickly and accurately during the high-pressure environment of an ear training exam.

Diatonic Scales

Major scales, the three types of minor scales, and chromatic scales are very familiar. By now, their solfege and intervallic relations are fully integrated into our aural skills consciousness.

Review the solfege of diatonic scales by singing through the warm-up below, and listen to the linked playlist to refresh your memories of earlier study.

Scales with Solfege Syllables

Sing these scales daily using solfege and conducting. Memorize the syllables for use in major,  minor, and chromatic scales. Take especial care over the intonation of the augmented second in the harmonic minor scale. Also, note that the solfege for the ascending chromatic scale is different from the solfege of the descending chromatic scale.

Modal Scales

Commit the solfege and intervallic relationships of the modal scales to memory. Listen to the linked playlist to refresh your memory of the sounds and uses of the modes in melodic and harmonic contexts.

Non-Diatonic Scales

Review the characteristics, intervallic properties, and notation methods for the non-diatonic scales, and listen to the linked playlist below to practice listening for the particular tone qualities generated by non-diatonic harmonic systems.

Two Pentatonic Scales

Two Hexatonic Scales

One Heptatonic Scale

Two Octatonic Scales

Playlist

Sorting Through Information

Using this quick and effective method for sorting scales into categories, you can further refine your identification decisions and detect errors.

• First, count the tones to immediately exclude a lot of wrong answers:
  • 5+1 = pentatonic: two types
  • 6+1 = hexatonic: two types
  • 7+1 = heptatonic: many types (major, three types of minor, modal, Lydian dominant)
  • 8+1 = octatonic (whole-half, half-whole)
  • 12+1 = chromatic

• Now refine your answer using intervallic recognition.

• Notate the scale:
  • Does this scale require exact spellings? (i.e. major, minor, modal scales…)
  • Or will any enharmonic spelling do as long as the pitch class is correct? (i.e. octatonic scales, etc.)

• Check your notation.
  • For diatonic scales, compare the notated pitches with a key signature.
  • For non-diatonic scales, especially hexatonic and octatonic, use another method such as arpeggiation. Hexatonic scales arpeggiated into augmented triads; octatonic scales arpeggiate into fully diminished seventh chords.

All Scales, Side By Side

Lastly, here is an image of all the scales we are studying side by side. Study the scales, their intervals, and their notation. Sing through them and play them on the piano. Compare and contrast: in what respects are they similar to and different from each other?