Keys & the Major/Minor Scale

Goal
Understand what is the major/minor scale, and how to find its notes using an interval formula.

Vocabulary
•    half steps (H) = smallest interval
•    whole step (W) = 2 half steps
•    chromatic scale = all 12 notes, only half steps
•    major scale = interval formula WWHWWWH
•    minor scale = interval formula WHWWHWW (same as major scale, but starting on 6th note)

Essential Knowledge
•    Most melodies only use 7 different notes throughout a song.
•    The white keys follow the interval pattern of the major/minor scale.
•    Major and minor scales use the same interval formula, meaning they use the same set of 7 notes. 
•    Starting on the 6th note of a major scale creates a minor scale (e.g. the C major and A minor scales use the same set of 7 notes).

Tips
•    Melodies are rarely based solely around the chromatic scale because it is very unstable, ungrounded, and difficult to sing. To create more balanced melodies, use less than all 12 notes to allow for larger intervals that are more balanced than a half step.
•    The major/minor scale is very balanced because it has more W than H, and the H are as far apart as possible.

Fun Facts
•    John Williams based his “Jaws Theme” on the instability/tension of the half step.