Major Scales and Minor Scales (Theory Review)

20 practice flashcards covering major scale spelling, interval quality, minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic), and relative/parallel relationships.

In a major scale, why must the seven pitches be spelled with seven different letter names?

So the scale uses each letter A–G exactly once; you should not have both G♭ and G♮ in the same scale.

What would you call the interval from E to G♭, and why is it not a major second?

A diminished third; because E to G♭ is a third apart in letter names, but spans only two half steps.

What is the standard pattern of whole steps and half steps in a major scale (from tonic to octave)?

Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half.

Name the three minor scales discussed.

Natural (pure) minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor.

What common feature do all minor scales share regarding the third scale degree?

They have a lowered third scale degree; the interval from the tonic to the third is a minor third.

Where are the half steps located in the natural minor scale?

Between scale degrees 2 and 3, and between 5 and 6.

Is the 7–8 ascent present in natural minor?

No; the major-scale leading-tone pull from 7 to 8 is not present in natural minor.

How is the harmonic minor scale formed?

By raising the seventh scale degree by a half step (sharp or natural).

How does melodic minor differ from natural minor in the ascending form?

Ascending, both the sixth and seventh degrees are raised by a half step; descending, they return to natural minor pitches.

What is the expressive effect of the melodic minor alterations?

They encourage upward motion to the higher tonic and a downward pull toward the fifth degree.

What is the relationship between C natural minor and E♭ major?

They are relative major and minor; they share the same seven pitches.

Does modifying the natural minor to harmonic or melodic alter the relative relationship to its major?

No—the relative relationship remains even when the natural minor is altered to harmonic or melodic minor.

What term describes major and minor scales that start and finish on the same tonic?

Parallel.

Why are relative major and minor scales considered more closely related than parallel scales?

Because they use the same collection of pitches (the same seven pitches).

In a major scale, what is the significance of the interval from 7 to 8?

It provides an upward pull (leading-tone resolution) that is not present in natural minor.

What is preserved in the keyboard diagrams that begin on G and C?

The same sequence of intervals: W–W–H–W–W–W–H.

How is the term 'diminished' defined in the context of intervals?

When a minor interval is made smaller by raising the bottom or lowering the top, it becomes diminished.

What types of steps occur between adjacent degrees of a major scale?

Major seconds (whole steps) and minor seconds (half steps).

Describe the ascent and descent rules for melodic minor.

Ascending, raise 6th and 7th by a half step; descending, revert to natural minor pitches.

What distinguishes relative major/minor from parallel scales in terms of tonic and pitch collection?

Relative majors/minors share the same pitch collection but have different tonics; parallel scales share the same tonic but have different pitch collections.

What is the primary characteristic sound of a major scale?

It typically sounds bright, stable, and conclusive.

How many half steps make up a whole step?

A whole step consists of 2 half steps.

What is the name of the first scale degree?

The tonic.

What is the name of the fifth scale degree?

The dominant.

In a major scale, what is the specific name for the seventh scale degree?

The leading tone.

Name the two pairs of diatonic half steps found in any major scale.

Half steps occur between E-F and B-C.

What is the general expressive quality of minor scales?

They commonly convey a darker, more melancholic, or serious quality.

How can the pitches of a natural minor scale be derived from its relative major scale?

By starting on the sixth scale degree of the relative major.

What unusual interval is created between the sixth and seventh scale degrees in the harmonic minor scale?

An augmented second.

What is a primary reason for altering the natural minor to form the harmonic minor scale?

To create a stronger leading tone (raised seventh degree) for the dominant chord, enhancing harmonic progression.

Why do the sixth and seventh degrees revert to their natural minor pitches in the descending melodic minor scale?

To avoid the augmented second interval that would occur between the raised sixth and seventh degrees, resulting in a smoother melodic descent.

How is an 'augmented' interval defined?

When a major or perfect interval is made larger by a half step.

Name three types of perfect intervals.

Perfect unison, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, and perfect octave.

What is the size difference between a major interval and its corresponding minor interval?

A major interval is one half step larger than a minor interval of the same numerical designation.

How many half steps are in a perfect fifth?

A perfect fifth spans 7 half steps.

How many half steps are in a major third?

A major third spans 4 half steps.

What makes the pitch collection of relative major and minor scales the same?

They share the same key signature (number of sharps or flats).

If C major and C natural minor are parallel scales, how do their pitch collections differ?

C natural minor uses E♭, A♭, and B♭, while C major uses E♮, A♮, and B♮.

What is the typical melodic tendency or "pull" of a leading tone?

It strongly tends to resolve upwards by a half step to the tonic.

If you lower the top note of a major third by a half step, what interval do you create?

A minor third.