4-7 Western Music Scales

What is a chromatic scale?

The chromatic scale is a Western scale where the octave is divided into 12 steps (called semitones).

Imagine starting on middle C of the piano and playing all the black and white keys in sequential order until you reach the next C. You would have just played a chromatic scale.

A two octave chromatic scale can be seen on the piano here: 2 Octave Chromatic Scale

What is a major scale?

The major scale is a Western scale where the octave is divided into 7 steps of a blend of whole tones and semitones. This scale aligns with the solfege: do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do

Imagine starting on middle C of the piano and playing all the white keys in sequential order until you reach the next C. You would have just played a major scale..

A two octave chromatic scale can be seen on the piano here: 2 Octave Major Scale

The keys that have a black key between them (even though it is not being played) are the whole tones. The keys that have no black key between them are the semitone intervals.

How do whole tones and semitones relate to whole steps and half steps?

    Whole Tone = Whole Step
    Semitone = Half Step

Continue: #REDIRECT 4-8 Pythagorean Scale

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