Scales and modes

A scale is a set of notes in order from a starting note, the tonic. Seven-note scales use every letter name once, which is why F♯ major has an E♯ and not an F.

Major and minor

• Major: whole and half steps W W H W W W H. Bright and settled.
• Natural minor: W H W W H W W. The same notes as the major scale a minor 3rd above (its relative major): A minor and C major share every note.
• Harmonic minor: natural minor with a raised 7th, giving a leading note that pulls up to the tonic, and a wide step (W+H) between the 6th and 7th.
• Melodic minor: raises the 6th and 7th going up. Classical music often uses natural minor coming down; jazz uses the raised form both ways (as here).

The modes

Start a major scale on each of its seven notes and you get the seven modes. Each has its own pattern and colour, set by one or two notes that differ from plain major or minor.

Pentatonic and blues

The pentatonic scales leave out the two notes that make half steps, so nothing clashes: major pentatonic is 1 2 3 5 6, minor pentatonic is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7. The blues scale adds a ♯4 (the "blue note") to minor pentatonic.