Music Theory 101: Major and Minor
Previously, we spoke about the scale system (Do Re Mi). Let’s apply this system to normal notes as you would learn on your instrument:
Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do
C D E F G A B C
Great. Now we also know that E-F and B-C are semitones, or minor seconds. This scale is the C-Major scale, and it is what you hear when just playing the white keys on a piano.
If we want D-Major, we just apply our major and minor seconds beginning with D.
Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do
D E F# G# A H C# D
Notice that because E-F is a semitone, but Re-Mi isn’t, we have to adjust the F to F-sharp (F#). Same goes for the G and the C.
Now comes the trick. A minor scale is actually not much different from a major scale. It just starts in a different place.
La Ti Do Re Mi Fa So La
It begins with La, and progresses the same way as we’d expect. This scale sounds “sad”, because the semitones come in a different place. A rule of thumb: The earlier the semitone, the “darker” or “sadder” a scale. If we apply Do = C we get:
La Ti Do Re Mi Fa So La
A B C D E F G A
This scale is the a-minor scale. It is actually the same as the C-Major, but it begins in a different place. This is important in terms of how you begin and end a song, and what chords you use to accompany it. More on that later.
Digest. Relax. Ask Questions.
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