Lesson with Violinfiddler...

Violinfiddler and I have been talking and spending time going over some basic theory to refresh him. We started with the concept of intervals and their inversions. We then went over how whole and half steps are used in building the major scale.

Violinfiddler, I would like for you to build me a Major scale starting on the note D# not Eb. You can choose to do it on finale and then post it.

Here it is. Notepad doesn't have a double sharp tool. So I have G natural in place of a double sharped F, and a D natural in place of a double shaped C.

Ok, I checked you scale exercise and it was correct. Although, it was not a difficult exercise I always find it important to have students build scales on notes such as D#, Fb, A# and so on. This way the importance of understanding intervals and how Major scales are made in enforced.

Ok, we can now proceede to the next step.

That first scale exercise seemed really easy for you! That's good. Now, I'm going to give you the pattern for building the minor scales. There are three types of minor scales: Natural, Harmonic and Melodic.

1)The pattern for the Natural minor scale is:

W-H-W-W-H-W-W

For example: C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C (C Natural minor)

2)The pattern for the Harmonic minor is:

W-H-W-W-H-Augmented 2nd-H

For example: C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bnatural-C

(Ab to Bnatural is where the augmented 2nd occurs) An augmented 2nd is 1whole step + 1Half step its the same as the minor 3rd.

3)The pattern for the Melodic minor is:

W-H-W-W--W-W-H

For example: C-D-Eb-F-G-A-B-C

However, the melodic minor scales changes when you are descending. When descending with the melodic minor scale the 6th and 7th notes of the scale are lowered by a half step. So the Descending C melodic minor scale would be:

C-Bb-Ab-G-F-Eb-D-C

Also the steps of either a Major or minor scale is referred to as a "degree". Therefore, the first note of a scale is called the 1st scale degree.

Exercises:

Build a Natural, Harmonic and Melodic (ascending and descending) minor scale on the note Cb.

Here it is. I have finally gotten around to doing it.

Excersise no.2.MUS

Going away and will return on Wednesday. We will resume lessons when I get back. :D

I have your exercise and will check it over and will soon post my comments.

Just checked your scales.

1) The harmonic minor - I now that in Notepad you don't have the option of a double flat and I am going to assume that you understood and knew you needed some double flats for this scale. If you were unaware of that then let me know so that I can further explain why.

In the natural minor scale your D natural would be an E-Double flat, your G natural would be an A-Double flat, and your A natural would be a B-Double flat.

2) The harmonic minor - the same thing here with the D natural and G natural.

3) The melodic minor - Your ascending melodic minor is correct, but your descending scale is not. Remember that the 6th and 7th scale degrees are changed when the melodic minor descends. Double check your melodic minor and and repost it. :blink: