diccionario de escalas

1 DICCIONARIO DE ESCALAS http://www.pianoscales.org/printable.html

Scale theoryWhat is a scale? The easiest way to explain scales is like a collection of notes that of a musical reason

have been grouped together. The benefit of knowing scales like areas in music is that you know how to

orient yourself among notes. This will among other things give you a foundation for improvising – notes

in a particular scale always sound good played together – and composing.

You don't have to read notes to be able to learn scales (but it is always good to be acquainted with reading notes). Neither do you have to know a lot of chords, but if you already know some chords the scales will be much easier to relate to and subsequently memorize. And by knowing scales you will be able to learn chord easier - chords derive from scales.

Fundamentals

In many cases a scale consists of seven notes – this is the case of the major and minor scales. The scales are also octave-repeating which means the pattern of notes is the same regardless if you play a scale on the left, the middle or the right side of the keyboard.

On a full scale piano, there are a total of 88 keys, but there are only twelve different notes which are repeated from low to high tones, from the base to the treble.

In the illustration above you can see twelve tones that make one octave and these notes also form a Chromatic Scale). One important thing is that C# is sometimes written Db and D# is sometimes written Eb and so on. These are calledenharmonic notes and how they are written depends on the key they belong to. The symbols after the letter (accidentals) are known as sharps and flats. C# is spelled "C sharp" and Db is spelled "D flat". This is of course only theory, but is nevertheless good to know about.

Let's take the G major scale as an example:

The notes are G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G.

http://www.pianoscales.org/printable.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/keys.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/chromatic.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/the-keyboard.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/minor.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/major.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/chords.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/how-to-interpret-piano-notes.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/compose-music.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/improvisation.html


Let's now look at the F major scale:

The notes are F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F.

We have seen two different scales where we use sharps (#) and flats (b). The rule that decides if the note is raised orlowered depends on the intervals between notes in the scale. In the examples above F# is a raised F and Bb is a lowered B.

On some occasions you may observe two sharps or flats in adjunction to a described note in a piano score. These are called double-sharps and double-flats. The reason these are used needs a theoretical explanation. Let us take the key of D# as an example, this key includes both D# and D, but to make it functional in a score with a key signature it should be D# and C## otherwise you would be lured to play a D# instead of a D.

The same thing sometimes occurs then the notes of scales or chords are written out. For example, the C# Major Scale could correctly be written: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#. Notice that B# is written instead of C. B# is not existing in reality and the note should be played as a C. (On Pianoscales.org C is sometimes written instead of B## anyway to avoid confusing. There is many beginners using the sites and things like B## would clearly confuse some of these and in the overviews the formally correct notes are presented below.)

Changing keys and scales

Music pieces are written in a certain key, like Brandenburg Concerto No 1 in F Major by J.S. Bach. It would be feasible to re-arrange this concerto to another key, like for example D Major. It would still be the same to a large extent, but thetimbre would be different.

Tonality

Most songs start and end with the same tone which is the first note, or tonic, in the scale. Then you play notes from a scale you could hear that the music seems to gravitate towards the first note, it is like some tension is left until you have reach that first note. This phenomenon is called tonality.

Scale degrees



There is also something called scale degrees that refer to the relations of every particular note in the scale in a general basis. These have roman numbers as you can see below:

Tonic (I) – the first note of a scale that the scale is based upon, sometimes called the root. Super tonic (II) — second scale degree, one step above the tonic.Mediant (III) — third scale degree with a position halfway between the tonic and the dominant.Subdominant (IV) — fourth scale degree, a fifth below the tonic and next to the dominant.Dominant (V) — fifth scale degree Submediant (VI) — sixth scale degree and sometimes called supermediant.Subtonic (VII) — seventh scale degree which is also referred to as leading tone because it musically "leads" back to the tonic.

Why should you learn these terms? One great thing about knowing them is that you can have a better

understanding of scales and chords in an abstract way. For one of many reasons, this will help you in

transposing music to another key and give you hints while you are composing music.

To show a concrete example: in blues you very often use the tonic (I), subdominant (IV) and the dominant (V). This, for example, can be a chord progression and by knowing this theoretical relationship you can play blues in all keys by using the same intervals.

Intervals

Intervals in music describe the distance between two notes. The most common intervals that you should be familiar with are: prime, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and octave. See these intervals illustrated below:

Intervals can also be used to describe the structure of a scale category. For example, the Major Scale can be written like: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and the Natural Minor can be written like: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7, referring to the intervals.

Steps

Another way to describe the structure of a scale is with the word steps which refer to the distance between notes. The most often used terms are half steps and whole steps. Between C and C# there is one half step and between C and D there is one whole steps.


http://www.pianoscales.org/minor.html#natural

http://www.pianoscales.org/major.html


In the scale overviews on this site you will see "semi-notes" (equivalent to half steps) and "formulas" used also to describe the scales. It is mainly the same thing only described in different ways. For the Major Scale this will look like: 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1 (semi-notes) and Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half (formula).

Basic music terms for pianoHere you will find information that helps you understand terms that often turns up on piano sheets.

Dynamics in music and the abbreviations

On piano sheets you will often find abbreviations like “pp”, “mf” and so on. The abbreviations stand for Italian terms which are directions for the dynamics, in other words, how soft or loud you should play. The abbreviations for dynamics and their meanings are:

p (piano) – soft pp (pianissimo) – very soft.mp (mezzo piano) – moderately softmf (mezzo forte) – moderately loudf (forte) – loudff (fortissimo) – very loud

Besides these terms, you could find directions for gradual changes:

Crescendo – gradually louder.Decrescendo – gradually softer.

Tempo in music and used terms

There is also common use to indicate the tempo with Italian terms. As well as the other terms in this overview these are often written out on the piano sheet and some of the most common are listed below:

Largo – very slowAdagio – slow Andante – walking pace Moderato – moderatelyAllegro – fast Vivace – very fastFor your reference, a moderately tempo is around 100 beats per minute.



Moods in music and used terms

Another thing that can turn up on piano sheets is indications of moods. These are instructions that lead you to a right expression than you play. There is of course room for a personal approach in the manner of expression, but these mood indications can be seen as guidelines.

Cantabile – in a singing styleCon amore – with loveCon brio – with spiritDolce – sweetlyFurioso – with passionScherzando – playfully

Piano Major ScalesPiano Major Scales are the most important scales: firstly because they are very common and, secondly,

because they are fundamental to your understanding of keys. If you hear someone mention that a piano

sonata by the composer and pianist Franz Shubert is played in A Major this means that it depends on the

A scale. It is also common that piano pieces are named like A Minor – this accordingly refers to a minor

scale.

Here we will focus on major scales. You can scroll down and see illustrations of all major scales, further down you will see an overview with all the notes and the intervals, semi-tones and finally the formula of the major scale. This theory helps you learn the concepts and memorizing it easier. See also major scales exercises.

C Major

Notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, CFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

D Major



Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, DFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

E Major

Notes: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, EFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

F Major

Notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, FFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

G Major

Notes: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, GFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5



A Major

Notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, AFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

B Major

Notes: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, BFingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C# / Db Major

Notes: Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, DbFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2

D# / Eb Major

Notes: Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, EbFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

F# /Gb Major



Notes: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, F, F#Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

G# / Ab Major

Notes: Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, AbFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

A# / Bb Major

Notes: Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, BbFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

Major Scales overview

C: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, CC#/Db: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# / Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, DbD: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, DD#/Eb: D#, E#, F##, G#, A#, B#, C##, D# / D#, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, EbE: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, EF: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F# / Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, GbG: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F##, G# / Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, AbA: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A



A#/Bb: A#, B#, C##, D#, E#, F##, G##, A# / Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, BbB: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B

Fingerings: 1 = Thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little finger. LH = Left hand | RH = Right hand

Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, 2, 3Semi-notes: 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1Formula: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half

Another good thing to know about is the intervals and steps. This is always the same about all the scales

in a category, therefore this helps you a lot until you have memorizing all the scales and also the

opposite way: you don’t need to memorized everyone if you know the intervals. The nature of the

intervals label the major scale to a diatonic scale.

Understand the notation

Some of the scales have two names divided by a slash (e.g. C# and Db), because they can be played in two different keys. The notes are however the same on the keyboard. For example are C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# and Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db (as in C# / Db) the same notes but partly written differently. In some cases there are double-sharps (e.g. F##) that could look peculiar, see theory for an explanation. Also, the notes in the diagrams and the overview sometimes differ. The reason behind is that the notes under the diagram are foremost thought to be easy to understand.

Scales and chords

As soon as you know a certain major scale you also know the chords in the same key. That is because you can randomly choose three different notes from a scale and you will get a triad (learn more about chords). For example: in the key of C the standard chords being used are:

C Major (notes: C - E - G) D Minor (notes: D - F - A) E Minor (notes: E - G - B) F Major (notes: F - A - C) G Major (notes: G - B - D) A Minor (notes: A - C - E) B Diminished (notes: B - D - F)



An easy way to start improvising on the piano is to play major scales together with the chords that use the same notes. To explain further: you can for example play chords like C, Em, F, G together with the C major scale. Preferable you play the chords with your left hand and notes from the scale with your right (more on improvisation).

Another interesting thing is that different major scales have their own "sounds". For example, C is suitable for ballads and Eb will sound a bit like Bach.

ExercisesExercises with fingerings for two octaves of major scales. The numbers that you can see above the notes

are indicating which fingers the notes should be played with. (The exercises are for the right hand, see

link to left hand exercises at the bottom of page.)

1 = thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little finger.

C major scale

G major scale

D major scale

A major scale

E major scale

B major scale



F major scale

Bb major scale

Eb major scale

Ab major scale

Db major scale

Gb

major scale

Comments

These scales are for the right hand. In addition, You should of course exercise scales with your left hand, but in that case you use some other fingerings.

Exercises for left hand


http://www.pianoscales.org/exercises-left-hand.html


Exercises for left hand with fingerings, including two octaves of major scales. The numbers that you can

see above the notes are indicating which fingers the notes should be played with.

1 = thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little finger.

C major scale

G major scale

D major scale

A major scale

E major scale

B major scale

F major scale

Bb major scale



Eb major scale

Ab major scale

Db major scale

Gb major scale

Comments

These scales are for the left hand. In addition, you should of course exercise scales with your right hand, but in that case you use some other fingerings.


http://www.pianoscales.org/exercises.html


Piano Minor ScalesContrary to the major scale there are not one but three minor scales and we shall look at each. The three

groups of minor scales are:

The natural minor (see below) The melodic The harmonic

The natural minor scale is often referred to as the minor scale. This scale can sometimes confuse people because it is in a way identical to the major scale. The A minor scales include exactly the same notes as the C major scale which makes them relative keys (read more about this further down the page).

Natural Minor Scales

Here are pictures and notes of scales.

A Minor

Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, AFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1 Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A# / Bb Minor

Notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

B Minor



Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, BFingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C Minor

Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, CFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C# / Db Minor

Notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

D Minor

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, DFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1 Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

D# / Eb Minor



Notes: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

E Minor

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, EFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

F Minor

Notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, FFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1 Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

F# / Gb Minor

Notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

G Minor



Notes: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, GFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

G# /Ab Minor

Notes: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Minor Scales overview

A: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, AA#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A# (theoretically correct is B# instead of C)B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, BC: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, CC#/Db: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#D: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, DD#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#E: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, EF: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#G: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#


Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7



Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole

Relative keys - major and minor

Relative keys have, as said above, the same notes and it can be found for all major and natural minor scales. G major is relative with E minor, F major is relative to D minor; see all relative keys below:

Cb - Abm Gb - Ebm Db - Bbm Ab - Fm Eb - Cm Bb - Gm F - Dm C - Am G - Em D - Bm A - F#m E - C#m B - G#m F# - D#m C# - A#m

You don't need to memorize all relative keys, if you want to know the relative minor just go to the sixth degree in the major scale.

Although the notes are the same there is a difference between two relative keys: the tonic (first tone in the scale) is not the same and this leads to different sounds. If you play in the A minor you will get a more gloomy and kind of melancholy sound comparable to C major.

Melodic Minor ScalesThe melodic scale differs from the natural minor scale due the sixth and seventh notes are raised a semi-

step, and therefore, no longer play as in the major scale. This scale is also some kind of a peculiar since

it is played differently ascending and descending.

When you go up the scale you are using the melodic minor scale, but when you move down the scale you are using thenatural minor scale. For the melodic scale in A it will look like this:


http://www.pianoscales.org/minor.html#natural


Ascending: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A

Descending: A, G, F, E, D, C, B, A

A

Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F# (F), G# (G), A

A# / Bb

Notes: A#, C, C#, Eb, F, G (F#), A (G#), A#

B

Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G# (G), A# (A), B

C

Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, A (Ab), B (Bb), C

C# / Db



Notes: C#, Eb, E, F#, G#, A# (A), C (B), C#

D

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, B (Bb), C# (C), D

D# / Eb

Notes: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, C (B), D (C#), D#

E

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C# (C), D# (D), E

F

Notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D (Db), E (Eb), F

F# / Gb



Notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, Eb (D), F (E), F#

G

Notes: G, A, Bb, C, D, E (Eb), F# (F), G

G# / Ab

Notes: G#, A#, B, C#, Eb, F (E), G (F#), G#

Melodic Minor Scales overview A: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, AA#/Bb: A#, C, C#, Eb, F, G, A, A#B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A#, BC: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B, CC#/Db: C#, Eb, E, F#, G#, A#, C, C#D: D, E, F, G, A, B, C#, DD#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, C, D, D#E: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D#, EF: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, E, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, Eb, F, F#G: G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F#, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, Eb, F, G, G#

Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7Semi-notes : 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half



Harmonic Minor ScalesThe harmonic minor scale is one of three minor scales. The other two are the natural minor and

the melodic minor. The sound of the harmonic scale is characterized by the music of the Middle East.

The harmonic minor differs from the natural minor with a flattened seventh note and, therefore, this minor scale is not played in the same way as the relative major scale.

A

Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, AFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1 Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A# / Bb

Notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, A, A#Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

B

Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A#, BFingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C


http://www.pianoscales.org/minor-melodic.html

http://www.pianoscales.org/minor.html


Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, CFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C# / Db

Notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C, C#Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

D

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, DFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1 Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

D# / Eb

Notes: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, D, D#Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

E



Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, EFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

F

Notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, FFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1 Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

F# / Gb

Notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, F, F#Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

G

Notes: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, GFingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

G# / Ab



Notes: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G# Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Harmonic Minor Scales overview

A: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, AA#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, A, A# (theoretically correct is B#, E# and G## instead of C, F and A)B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A#, BC: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, CC#/Db: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C, C# (theoretically correct is B# instead of C)D: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, DD#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, D, D# (theoretically correct is E# and C## instead of F and D)E: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, EF: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, F, F# (theoretically correct is E# instead of F)G: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G# (theoretically correct is F## instead of G)


Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 3 - 1Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole and a half, Half



Blues Scales for PianoAdding a ”blue note” to the regular Pentatonic scale gives the Pentatonic Blues Scale. These scales are

for obvious reasons perfect when playing blues on the piano. The "Major Blues Scale" is some less

common than the "Minor Blues Scale" and, therefore, we start with minor and you find the major by

scrolling down.

The blues originate from a mix of different sources in music, so there is no satisfying explanation in theoretical terms about this scale. But the most important thing is of course how it sounds when you are using it. Try these scales below and you will hear the blues!

Minor Blues Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the minor pentatonic blues scales. See also Major Blues Scales.

C Pentatonic Blues

Notes: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

C# / Db Pentatonic Blues

Notes: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B, C#

D Pentatonic Blues

Notes: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D

D# / Eb Pentatonic Blues



Notes: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#

E Pentatonic Blues

Notes: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E

F Pentatonic Blues

Notes: F, Ab, Bb, B, C, Eb, F

F# / Gb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: F#, A, B, C, C#, E, F#

G Pentatonic Blues

Notes: G, Bb, C, C#, D, F, G

G# / Ab Pentatonic Blues



Notes: G#, B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#

A Pentatonic Blues

Notes: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A

A# / Bb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: A#, C#, D#, E, E#, G#, A#

B Pentatonic Blues

Notes: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B

Pentatonic Blues Scales overview

C: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, CC#/Db: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B, C#D: D, F, G, G#, A, C, DD#/Eb: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#E: E, G, A, A#, B, D, EF: F, Ab, Bb, B, C, Eb, FF#/Gb: F#, A, B, C, C#, E, F#G: G, Bb, C, C#, D, F, GG#/Ab: G#, B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#



A: A, C, D, D#, E, G, AA#/Bb: A#, C#, D#, E, E#, G#, A#B: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B

Intervals and steps

Interval: 1, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7Semi-notes: 3 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2Formula: Whole and a half, Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole

Theory and tips for improvisation

The pentatonic blues scale is built upon three dominant chords. For example, in the case of C pentatonic the three chords are C7 – F7 – G7. We can see the relationship when comparing the notes in the scale:

C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

with the notes in the three chords:

(C7) C, E, G, Bb – (F7) F A C Eb – (G7) G B D F

There is a close correlation as you can see.

So how can you improvise on the piano with blues scales? By learning these scales you will get great

tools for improvising in the musical style of blues (these scales are also used in jazz improvisation). A tip

is to use the left hand for a chord and play the notes of the scale with the right. You can then combine a

C blues scale with C7, F7 and G7 chords. In the same way you can combine a G blues scale with the

chords G7, C7 and D7 and so on in different keys.

You can also improvise blues in minor. A nice combination are the chords Am7, Dm7 and E7 together with the A pentatonic blues scale. Further reading: 12-bar blues.

Major Blues Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the major pentatonic blues scales.

C Pentatonic Major Blues



Notes: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C

C# / Db Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: C#, D#, E, F, G#, A#, C#

D Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: D, E, F, F#, A, B, D

D# / Eb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C, D#

E Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#, E



F Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F

F# / Gb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#, F#

G Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G

G# / Ab Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: G#, A#, B, C, D#, F, G#

A Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: A, B, C, C#, E, F#, A

A# / Bb Pentatonic Major Blues



Notes: A#, C, C#, D, F, G, A#

B Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#, B

Pentatonic Major Blues Scales overview

C: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, CC#/Db: C#, D#, E, F, G#, A#, C#D: D, E, F, F#, A, B, DD#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C, D#E: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#, EF: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#, F#G: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C, D#, F, G#A: A, B, C, C#, E, F#, AA#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D, F, G, A#B: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#, B



Intervals and stepsInterval: 1, 2, b3, 3, 5, 6Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2 - 3Formula: Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole, Whole and a half



Piano Pentatonic ScalesThe pentatonic scale is frequently used in lots of popular music styles. There is both pentatonic major

and minor – in this case the minor is more used. Note that C minor pentatonic has identical notes as Eb

major pentatonic but in another order, D minor pentatonic has the same notes as F major pentatonic and

so on. Knowing this will make it easier for you to memorize.

Minor Pentatonic Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the minor pentatonic scales. These scales are very common in many styles but not at least in pop and rock music. See also Major Pentatonic Scales.

Cm

Notes: C, Eb, F, G, Bb, CFingerings (LH): 1, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

C#m / Dbm

Notes: C#, E, F#, G#, B, C#Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 2Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

Dm

Notes: D, F, G, A, C, D


http://www.pianoscales.org/pentatonic.html#majorpenta


Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

D#m / Ebm

Notes: D#, F#, G#, A#, C#, D#Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Em

Notes: E, G, A, B, D, EFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Fm

Notes: F, Ab, Bb, C, Eb, FFingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

F#m / Gbm

Notes: F#, A, B, C#, E, F#




Gm

Notes: G, Bb, C, D, F, GFingerings (LH): 1, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 1

G#m / Abm

Notes: G#, B, C#, D#, F#, G#Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 5, 4, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Am

Notes: A, C, D, E, G, AFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

A#m / Bbm

Notes: A#, C#, D#, E#, G#, A#




Bm

Notes: B, D, E, F#, A, BFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

Pentatonic Minor Scales overview C: C, Eb, F, G, Bb, CC#/Db: C#, E, F#, G#, B, C#D: D, F, G, A, C, DD#/Eb: D#, F#, G#, A#, C#, D#E: E, G, A, B, D, EF: F, Ab, Bb, C, Eb, FF#/Gb: F#, A, B, C#, E, F#G: G, Bb, C, D, F, GG#/Ab: G#, B, C#, D#, F#, G#A: A, C, D, E, G, AA#/Bb: A#, C#, D#, E#, G#, A#B: B, D, E, F#, A, B

Interval: 1, b3, 4, 5, b7Semi-notes: 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2Formula: Whole and a half, Whole, Whole, Whole and a half, Whole

Major Pentatonic Scales

This five-note scale is similar to the major scale but with the 4th and 7th degrees removed. Major pentatonic scales are especially common in traditional folk music, county and gospel. Here are pictures and notes of the major pentatonic scales.

C



Notes: C, D, E, G, A, CFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

C# / Db

Notes: C#, D#, F, G#, A#, C#Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4

D

Notes: D, E, F#, A, B, DFingerings (LH): 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 2Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4

D# / Eb

Notes: D#, F, G, A#, C, D# Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

E



Notes: E, F#, G#, B, C#, E Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

F

Notes: F, G, A, C, D, F Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4

F# / Gb

Notes: F#, G#, A#, C#, D#, F# Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

G

Notes: G, A, B, D, E, GFingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4

G# / Ab



Notes: G#, A#, C, D#, F, G#Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3

A

Notes: A, B, C#, E, F#, AFingerings (LH): 2, 1, 2, 1, 3, 2Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1

A# / Bb

Notes: A#, C, D, F, G, A#Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3

B

Notes: B, C#, D#, F#, G#,BFingerings (LH): 1, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1

Pentatonic Major Scales overview C: C, D, E, G, A, C



C#/Db: C#, D#, F, G#, A#, C#D: D, E, F#, A, B, DD#/Eb: D#, F, G, A#, C, D# E: E, F#, G#, B, C#, EF: F, G, A, C, D, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A#, C#, D#, F# G: G, A, B, D, E, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, C, D#, F, G#A: A, B, C#, E, F#, AA#/Bb: A#, C, D, F, G, A#B: B, C#, D#, F#, G#,B

Interval: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6Semi-notes: 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3Formula: Whole, Whole, Whole and a half, Whole, Whole and a half

Improvising with the Pentatonic Scale

The Pentatonic Scale is a flexible scale for improvising and apart from the standard way, which is combining a scale with chords in the same key, you could also be outside the key. By "being outside the key" means that you don’t necessary must played chords and scale that belongs to the same key. For example, you could play G Major Pentatonic over a C Major chord or E Minor Pentatonic over a A Minor chord.



Jazz scales and improvisationThere isn’t a single group of scales that can be called jazz scales – a jazz pianist uses lots of different

scales. But still there are typical scales used in jazz and here is an overview.

This guide will include The Modal Scales, Jazz Minor Scales and Bebop Scales.

The Modal Scales

The modal scales (often referred to as just modes) were once discovered in ancient Greek. In modern days the modal scales are frequently used in jazz improvisation. Are you interested in playing jazz, the modal scales are of great importance.

Here are the modal scales in the standard order:

Ionian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aeolian Locrian

In theory the modal scales are more like keys or modus (‘interval’ in Latin), but we will use either "scales" or "modes" as terms. The modal scales will probably feel kind of complicated in the beginning since they are not like other typical scales. But the thing is: they are really just variations of major scales. So, if you know the major scales you have an easy job to memorize the modal scale.

For example, if we take the C major scale and play this in the Dorian mode, what happens is that the

notes remain the same, but the starting point is altered. So C - D - E - F - G - A - B can change to D - E - F -

G - A - B - C and become Dorian.

Let’s look at a complete overview of the modus of C major:

Ionian: The tonic is still C.Dorian: The tonic change to D.Phrygian: The tonic change to E.Lydian: The tonic change to F.Mixolydian: The tonic change to G.



Aeolian: The tonic change to A (this is identical with the A minor scale).Locrian: The tonic change to B.

What is all this good for you may ask? Why don't stick to the regular major scales? It is true that the notes are the same in modes as in major scales, but not the order and that makes a big difference. It is the changed order that gives them a unique sound quality that is caused by a different root note.

So how can we use the modes? The modes become useful then you for example are playing a scale over a

chord and don't want the regular major sound. In many music styles it will not always sound good using

major scales over chords. You may instead use the Dorian mode and suddenly you have a different

sound. Some modes (Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian) will sound good with major chords and some (Dorian,

Phrygian, Aeolian and Locrian) will sound good with minor chords.

Jazz Minor Scales

The “Jazz Minor Scale” is a melodic minor scale, but without any change of notes when descending, see Melodic Minor. The Jazz Minor is often used as a replacement for other minor scales in jazz.

Above is an illustration of this scale in Cm. The next step is to use these notes in different modes according to this:

C Melodic Minor - C D Eb F G A B Dorian Mode - D Eb F G A B C D Lydian Mode - Eb F G A B C D Eb Mixolydian Mode - F G A B C D Eb F Dominant Mode - G A B C D Eb F G Locrian - A B C D Eb F G A Altered Mode - B C D Eb F G A B

Other useful scales

Bebop Scales – click the link for description and diagrams of these scales.Nine Tone Scales – click the link for description and diagrams of these scales.

Bebop Scales



The bebop scales are mostly used in jazz. You will probably notice the close relationship between the

bebop scale and the major scale. The only difference is one extra note and this can be compared with the

blue note added to a pentatonic to get a blues scale.

Although we don’t call it a blue note but a passing tone. As the pictures below show, the passing note can be found between the 5th and 6th note in the scale.

Bebop Major Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the major bebop scales. See also Minor Bebop Scales.

C

Notes: C, D, E, F, G, G#, A, B, C

C# / Db

Notes: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, G, A#, C, C#

D

Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, A#, B, C#, D

D# /Eb


http://www.pianoscales.org/bebop.html#bebopminor


Notes: D#, F, G, G#, A#, B, C, D, D#

E

Notes: E, F#, G#, A, B, C, C#, D#, E

F

Notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, Db, D, E, F

F# / Gb

Notes: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D, D#, F, F#

G

Notes: G, A, B, C, D, D#, E, F#, G

G# / Ab



Notes: G#, A#, C, C#, D#, E, F, G, G#

A

Notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F, F#, G#, A

A# / Bb

Notes: A#, C, D, Eb, F, F#, G, A, A#

B

Notes: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, G#, A#, B

Bebop Scales overview C: C, D, E, F, G, G#, A, B, CC#/Db: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, G, A#, C, C#D: D, E, F#, G, A, A#, B, C#, DD#/Eb: D#, F, G, G#, A#, B, C, D, D#E: E, F#, G#, A, B, C, C#, D#, EF: F, G, A, Bb, C, Db, D, E, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D, D#, F, F#G: G, A, B, C, D, D#, E, F#, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, C, C#, D#, E, F, G, G#



A: A, B, C#, D, E, F, F#, G#, AA#/Bb: A#, C, D, Eb, F, F#, G, A, A#B: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, G#, A#, B

Interval: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6b, 6, 7Semi-notes: 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1Formula: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Half, Half, Whole, Half

Bebop Minor Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the minor bebop scales.

Cm

Notes: C, D, Eb, E, F, G, A, Bb, C

C#m / Dbm

Notes: C#, D#, E, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#

Dm

Notes: D, E, F, Gb, G, A, B, C, D

D#m / Ebm



Notes: D#, F, F#, G, G#, A#, C, C#, D#

Em

Notes: E, Gb, G, Ab, A, B, Db, D, E

Fm

Notes: F, G, Ab, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F

F#m / Gbm

Notes: F#, G#, A, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#

Gm

Notes: G, A, Bb, B, C, D, E, F, G

G#m / Abm



Notes: G#, A#, B, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#

Am

Notes: A, B, C, Db, D, E, Gb, G, A

A#m / Bbm

Notes: A#, C, C#, D, D#, F, G, G#, A#

Bm

Notes: B, C#, D, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B

Bebop Minor Scales overview C: C, D, Eb, E, F, G, A, Bb, CC#/Db: C#, D#, E, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#D: D, E, F, Gb, G, A, B, C, D D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G, G#, A#, C, C#, D#E: E, Gb, G, Ab, A, B, Db, D, EF: F, G, Ab, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#G: G, A, Bb, B, C, D, E, F, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#



A: A, B, C, Db, D, E, Gb, G, AA#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D, D#, F, G, G#, A# B: B, C#, D, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B

Interval: 1, 2, 3b, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7bSemi-notes: 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2Formula: Whole, Half, Half, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole

Additional scales

In addition, there are two other variations of the bebop scale: Bebop Dominant and Bebop Dorian. The interval for Bebop Dominant is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7b, 7 (with the passing note between the 7th and the root), which is the same as Mixolydian with one extra note. Bebop Dorian has one extra flat, the third note and the interval is 1, 2, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7b, 7. All these scales are great tools for learning to play jazz.

Nine Tone ScalesThe Nine Tone Scales are somewhat uncommon with nine notes. It remains of the Augmented Scale and

we can see a similarity comparing C Augmented Scale and C Nine Tone Scale which both includes Eb and

G#.

Because of the many notes that are included there are numerous possibilities to play chords over these scales that, for example, can be used in jazz.

C

Notes: C, D, Eb, E, F#, G, G#, A, B, C

C# / Db

Notes: C#, Eb, E, F, G, G#, A, A#, C, C#


http://www.pianoscales.org/mixolydian.html


D

Notes: D, E, F, F#, G#, A, A#, B, C#, D

D# /Eb

Notes: Eb, F, F#, G, A, A#, B, C, D, Eb

E

Notes: E, F#, G, G#, A#, B, C, C#, Eb, E

F

Notes: F, G, G#, A, B, C, C#, D, E, F

F# / Gb

Notes: F#, G#, A, A#, C, C#, D, Eb, F, F#

G



Notes: G, A, A#, B, C#, D, Eb, E, F#, G

G# / Ab

Notes: G#, A#, B, C, D, Eb, E, F, G, G#

A

Notes: A, B, C, C#, Eb, E, F, F#, G#, A

A# / Bb

Notes: A#, C, C#, D, E, F, F#, G, A, A#

B

Notes: B, C#, D, Eb, F, F#, G, G#, A#, B

Nine Tone Scales overview C: C, D, Eb, E, F#, G, G#, A, B, CC#/Db: C#, Eb, E, F, G, G#, A, A#, C, C#



D: D, E, F, F#, G#, A, A#, B, C#, DD#/Eb: Eb, F, F#, G, A, A#, B, C, D, EbE: E, F#, G, G#, A#, B, C, C#, Eb, EF: F, G, G#, A, B, C, C#, D, E, FF#/Gb: F#, G#, A, A#, C, C#, D, Eb, F, F#G: G, A, A#, B, C#, D, Eb, E, F#, GG#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C, D, Eb, E, F, G, G#A: A, B, C, C#, Eb, E, F, F#, G#, AA#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D, E, F, F#, G, A, A#B: B, C#, D, Eb, F, F#, G, G#, A#, B

Interval: 1, 2, 3b, 3, 5b, 5, 6, 6b, 6, 7Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1Formula: Whole, Half, Half, Whole, Half, Half, Half, Whole, HaLF



Piano scales chartHere you see an overview of some of the most common scales:

Major scales with relative minorPentatonic scales major & minor

Major Relative Minor

C Am

C# Bbm

D Bm

D# Cm

E C#m

F Dm


http://www.pianoscales.org/chart.html#pentatonic

http://www.pianoscales.org/chart.html#major


F# Ebm

G Em

G# Fm

A F#m

A# Gm

B Abm

More scales are shown in the chart below...

Pentatonic Major Pentatonic Minor

C Am



C# Bbm

D Bm

D# Cm

E C#m

F Dm

F# Ebm

G Em

G# Fm



A F#m

A# Gm

B Abm



Otras escalas (http://heptagrama.com/escalas-musicales.htm)

En la música occidental, las escalas mayores y menores tienen su origen en las escalas de do y la, respectivamente. Eso ya fue aprendido. Sin embargo, hay muchas otras escalas musicales que se pueden usar. Estas vienen de los arreglos musicales de las otras notas musicales. Se les conoce como modos musicales y se les ha dado el nombre de pueblos griegos.

La escala basada en do es una escala Jónica.[C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C]

La escala basada en re es una escala Dórica.[D – E – F – G – A – B – C – D]

La escala basada en mi es una escala Frigia.[E – F – G – A – B – C – D – E]

La escala basada en fa es una escala Lidia.[F – G – A – B – C – D – E – F]

La escala basada en sol es una escala Mixolidia.[G – A – B – C – D – E – F – G]

La escala basada en la es una escala Eólica.[A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A]

La escala basada en si es una escala Locria.[B – C – D – E – F – G – A - B]

Estas escalas son menos conocidas, pero todavía usadas. Además de estas, hay otras escalas, pero por lo general no se les relaciona con la música occidental y estarán fuera de este texto


diccionario de escalas

Documents