4-6 Musical Scales

What is a scale?

A scale is a series of notes of various pitches. The scale will often give away the key (and therefore affect the mood) of a piece of music. There are various scales which are popular in different cultures and time periods.

What is considered in the creation of a scale?

- The ear recognizes frequencies, not specific intervals or pitches.

- Pitches which are consonant have a smaller ratio frequency.

Have scales always existed?

Music existed long before the creation of scales. Early composers wrote music that was pleasant to the ear but they didn't delve into the relationships between these tones. Out of the tones and progressions of notes that people aesthetically preferred (and their knowledge of wave frequencies) came the development of scales.

Is it difficult to create a scale system?

The biggest challenge that occurs with the creation of scales is the fact that the ratios of frequencies will not transfer perfectly to every note (even if they are the same interval). Therefore, there is no way to create a "perfect" scale system.

Continue: #REDIRECT 4-7 Western Music Scales

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