Class 2

Major keys. Minor keys. Scales and more. Here's what we covered today:

• Circle of 5ths (minor)
• Scale degrees
  
• Major scales
• Minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic)
• Intervals

We finished talking about the circle of 5ths by discussing relative minor keys. Remember, to find the relative minor, you take the major key you're in and move down a third (keeping in mind the key signature). So if you're in the key of Db major, the relative minor is Bb minor (because B is flat in the key of Db).

Major and minor scales are made up of seven distinct notes, and each note holds a numerical value in that scale relative to the beginning (1, or tonic). The 5th scale degree is called the dominant and is important because, in a way, it defines the tonic. The 4th note is the subdominant.

Last thing. There are three forms of a minor scale. The diatonic form (following the key signature) is called the natural minor scale. To get the harmonic minor scale, you simply raise the 7th note. The melodic minor scale is achieved by raising the 6th and 7th notes going up and then lowering them coming down. Also remember the hierarchy of altering notes:

• double sharp (x)
• sharp (#)
• natural
• flat (b)
• double flat (bb)

Make sure that whenever you have finished writing your scales that you have seven distinct notes. Like today in class, when we write the a# harmonic minor scale, we must write:

A# G# B# C# D# E# F# Gx(not A) A#

If you were to write an A natural instead of G double sharp, you would end up with two types of A's and no form of G. Make sense?

I realize today's class was pretty heavy, but it should get a little more interesting as we start moving past the basics. Thanks for all your hard work. God bless.

Josh


P.S. Here's a link to the homework.