  
Introduction
A scale
is merely a collection pitches placed in ascending or descending
order. The word scale comes from the Latin word scala,
meaning "ladder." Composers will often use the notes of
a specific scale as the basis for a composition. This lesson introduces
various scales that are used in much of the music we encounter.
1
Diatonic
scale
A diatonic scale
is the most commonly used scale in the Western world. It consists
of seven notes (the eighth note being the octave) and contains five
whole steps and two half steps. Diatonic scales can be played on
the white notes of the piano beginning with any pitch. Depending
on which note the scale begins, the pattern of whole and half steps
varies. Notice that a diatonic scale beginning on 'A' has half steps
between 2-3 and 5-6.
diatonic
scale from A to A

The diatonic scale beginning on 'F,' on the
other hand, has half steps between 4-5 and 7-8.
diatonic
scale from F to F


  
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