Scales

A scale is a set of notes grouped together in a specific pattern. The most commonly used scale in popular music is the major scale. The notes of the major scale are numbered from 1 to 8, with the tonic assigned the number 1 and other tones moving up in sequence to the octave, which is number 8.

Major Scales

In the major scale, notes are arranged in a specific sequence of half steps and whole steps. A half step is the distance from one note to the next closest note. On a piano, the distance from any key to the next closest key (regardless of whether it is a black key or white key) is a half step. A whole step is equivalent to two half steps. To construct a major scale from any starting tone, use the following arrangement of whole steps (W) and half steps (H):

Here are some examples:

C Major:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	C	D	E	F	G	A	B	C

 

D Major:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	D	E	F#	G	A	B	C#	D

 

G Major:	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	G	A	B	C	D	E	F#	G

 

Notice that the pattern of whole steps and half steps (W-W-H-W-W-W-H) is always the same regardless of which tone is used for the tonic. The first step in ear training is to learn the pattern for the major scale and the numbers for each note in the scale. The numbers of the scale are sometimes called scale degrees. For further reference: Major scale - Wikipedia The Major Scale - musictheory.net

 

Minor Scales

Compared to major scales, minor scales have a darker and heavier sound. They also have their own pattern and order. Here is the pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H) used to create a minor scale:

 

And here are some examples of minor scales:

C Minor:	1	2	b3	4	5	b6	b7	8
	C	D	Eb	F	G	Ab	Bb	C

 

D Minor:	1	2	b3	4	5	b6	b7	8
	D	E	F	G	A	Bb	C	D

 

G Minor:	1	2	b3	4	5	b6	b7	8
	G	A	Bb	C	D	Eb	F	G

 

As you can see, the minor scale follows the interval pattern of W-H-W-W-H-W-W. To create a minor scale in any key, begin on the tonic of the key, and add scale tones according to this pattern.
You can use the piano keyboard below to see examples of any major or minor scale. Simply choose the tonic (starting tone or "root" of the scale), press the play button for either the major or minor scale, and observe which notes are used to build the scale.

Starting tone:

Paddle Tones and Tone Drops will train you to quickly match each scale tone with its number as soon as you hear it. This will strengthen your sense of relative pitch.

Paddle Tones

Most music you hear is based on either the major or minor scale. As a musician, you should be completely familiar with the tones of these scales in all keys. For this game, we've taken a familiar concept and given it a tonal twist. Paddle Tones will train your ear to recognize the scale tones found in virtually all popular music.

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Tone Drops

The ability to recognize tones within a given key is called 'relative pitch', and is an essential skill for learning to play music by ear. Tone Drops is our latest falling object game, and will sharpen your sense of relative pitch. This game trains the same basic skills as Paddle Tones, but uses a wider range of octaves and instrument sounds.

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Vocal Degrees (Major) (requires mic & headset)

One of the keys to recognizing melodies by ear is to be so familiar with the major and minor scales that you can sing any degree of the scale without having to stop and think. Vocal Degrees will help you 'internalize' these scale degree sounds by playing a set of chords and then prompting you to sing a particular scale degree in that key.

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Vocal Degrees (Minor) (requires mic & headset)

The best way to internalize the sound of scale degrees is to practice singing each degree of the scale in all twelve keys. Minor keys have a distinct set of tonal relationships, and it is best to practice the degrees of the minor scale separate from those of the major scale.

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