Chapter 4
Different scales can have different patterns of whole and half steps (tones and semitones) and different starting notes, giving each scale a distinct character and mood. Musicians use these scales to create melodies, harmonies, and chords in music. Scales are the building blocks of music, and they help make the different emotions and feelings you experience when you listen to a song.
Key signatures are associated with specific scales. For example, a piece written in the key of C major has no sharps or flats in its key signature. A piece in the key of G major has one sharp (F#), while a piece in the key of F major has one flat (B♭).
Using the Rectangle of Fifths, we can now easily identify these notes.
Let’s Start with a straightforward example we have looked at before: the C Major Scale.
Looking at the Rectangle of Fifths, we can see that C has a value of 0. This means it has no sharps. Setting on Tonic at C, we can now see the C Major Scale is made from all Natural White Positions.
Now let’s get a little more complicated:
the G Major Scale.
Looking at the Rectangle of Fifths, we can see that G has a value of 1. This means it has 1 sharp.
But how do we know which sharp it is without having to count through the scale rule?
Play / Skip/ Play / Skip / Play / Play / Skip / Play / Skip / Play / Skip / Play / Play
G has a value of 1: so 1 Sharp
Our Sharp is the first black position of the fork.
So now armed with the Rectangle of Fifths, we can intuitively know the notes of Keys with very little musical background. You now know the notes of the C Major and G Major Scale and have a process to recall these without difficulty.
In the next lesson, we will dig a little deeper and look at further major scales.