9. SCALES
What is a scale?
A scale is a series of notes arranged in a specific order, going up (ascending) and down (descending).
There are many types of scales (medieval, chromatic, pentatonic…), but we will focus on tonal scales.
MODES
In tonal music, there are two main modes:
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Major (for example: C major, D major)
Minor (for example: E minor, A minor)
STRUCTURE OF THE MAJOR SCALE
All major scales follow this pattern of tones (T) and semitones (ST):
T – T – ST – T – T – T – ST
Example:
Do-Re (T) / RE-Mi (T) / Mi-FA (ST) / Fa-Sol (T) / Sol-La (T) / La-Si (T) / Si-Do (ST)
KEY SIGNATURE (armadura):
If we start the scale on another note (for example, MI), this pattern of tones and semitones changes.
To fix it, we add sharps (#) or flats (b) to keep the same distances between notes.
To avoid writing sharps or flats throughout a piece, we use the key signature, which is written after the treble clef and before the time signature.
ORDER OF SHARPS AND FLATS:
# => Fa, Do, Sol, Re, La, Mi, Si
b => Si, Mi, La, Re, Sol, Do, Fa
HOW TO FIND THE KEY SIGNATURE
Example: E Major (Mi mayor)
Start on Mi and apply the major scale pattern (T–T–ST–T–T–T–ST).
You will need sharps (#) to keep the correct distances.
The same process applies for flat (b) scales.
WHEN DOES A KEY HAVE SHARPS OR FLATS?
When we are told a key (tonality), we check if the name includes a flat (b):
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If it doesn’t include a “b” → it uses sharps (#)
Example: D Major, E Major, B Major → all use sharps. -
If it includes a “b” → it uses flats (b)
Example: Bb Major, Eb Major, Ab Major → all use flats.
Exceptions:
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C Major → has no sharps or flats.
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F Major → has one flat (Bb).
ACTIVITIES
Find the key signature of:
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D Major (Re Mayor)
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A Major (La Mayor)
Find the key signature of:
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Eb Major (Mi bemol Mayor)
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Bb Major (Si bemol Mayor)
THE MINOR MODE:
Every Major key has a relative minor key,
They both share the same key signature (the same sharps or flats).
To find them:
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If you start from a Major key:
Go down a minor 3rd (that means go down one tone and one semitone) to find its relative Minor.
👉 Example: C Major → A Minor -
If you start from a Minor key:
Go up a minor 3rd (one tone and one semitone) to find its relative Major.
👉 Example: A Minor → C Major
ACTIVITIES
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Write the relative minor or major for each key:
C Major → _______
A Major → _______
D Minor → _______
F Minor → _______
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Write the key signatures of:
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D Minor
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F Minor
REVIEW ACTIVITIES – MAJOR AND MINOR SCALES
1. Find the key signature of the following major scales:
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G Major (Sol)
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B Major (Si)
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F Major (Fa)
2. Find the key signature of the following minor scales:
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E Minor (Mi)
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B Minor (Si)
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G Minor (Sol)
3. Write the relative minor for each major key:
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G Major → _______
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D Major → _______
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F Major → _______
4. Write the relative major for each minor key:
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E Minor → _______
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C Minor → _______
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G Minor → _______
5. Explain in your own words:
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How can you recognize if a key (tonalidad) has sharps (#) or flats (b)?
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How can you find its relative key (major or minor)?
