Scales and Modes

Notes can be arranged into different scales and modes. Western music theory generally divides the octave into a series of 12 notes that might be included in a piece of music. This series of twelve notes is called a chromatic scale. In the chromatic scale, each note is called a half-step or semitone. Patterns of half and whole steps (2 half steps, or a tone) can make up a scale in that octave. The scales most commonly encountered are the seven toned major, the harmonic minor, the melodic minor, and the natural minor. Other examples of scales are the octatonic scale, and the pentatonic or five-toned scale, which is common in but not limited to folk musics. There are scales that do not follow the chromatic 12-note pattern, for example in classical Persian, Indian and Arabic music.

In music written using the system of major-minor tonality, the key of a piece determines the scale used. Transposing a piece from C major to D major will make all the notes two semitones higher. Even in modern equal temperament, changing the key can change the feel of a piece of music, because it changes the relationship of the composition's pitches to the pitch range of the instruments that play the piece. A key change, or modulation, may occur during a piece, which is more easily heard as a difference of intervals in sound.

Dorian Mode This is the most widely used mode. You can play it by starting onD(the white key between the two black keys) and play just the white keys to the next D. This mode is easy to remember: Dorian begins with D and the scale stars on D. You'll never forget this mode. It is like a major scale with a flat 3rd and a flat 7th note.

Phrygian Mode This mode begins on E. Play all the white key up to the next E. It has a very sad sound and is heard in lots of Spanish, Hebrew, and Gypsy music. It is the only mode that begins with a half-step. Composers use this mode when they want their music to sound Oriental. It is like a major scale with 2 - 3 - 6 - 7 played flat.

Lydian Mode This mode sounds almost the same as the major scale. It has an odd-sounding 4th note. Start onF and play all the white keys up to the next F. It is a major scale with a sharp 4.

Mixolydian Mode This has a long name, but is simple to play. Start onG and play all the white keys up to the next G. This also sounds like the major scale, but it has a strange-sounding 7th tone. It's used a lot in rock and roll and jazz music. It is a major scale with a flat 7th note.

 

Aeolian Mode Just like its name, this mode begins on A. Start onA and play all the white keys up to the next A. This is also called the natural minor scale. It is a major scale with a flat 3 - 6 - 7.

Locrian Mode This mode sounds so strange it is almost never used. It begins and ends on B. You can forget this one. It is a major scale with a flat 2 - 3 - 5 - 6 - 7.

Musical texture is the overall sound of a piece of music commonly described according to the number of and relationship between parts or lines of music: monophony, heterophony, polyphony, homophony, or monody. The perceived texture of a piece may also be affected by the timbre of the instruments, the number of instruments used, and the distance between each musical line, among other things.

Timbre, sometimes called "Color", or "Tone Color" is the quality or sound of a voice or instrument. The quality of timbre varies widely from instrument to instrument, or from voice to voice. The timbre of some instruments can be changed by applying certain techniques while playing

Vocabulary

a pitch – висота

а beat – такт, ритм

an allocation – розподіл

а timbre – тембр

sensation – відчуття

perception – сприйняття

a doubling – подвоєння

halving – розділ навпіл

frequency – частота

overarching – всеосяжний

to accent – підкреслювати

duration – довжина, тривалість

sonoritу – дзвінкість, звучність; a chord – струна, акорд; interaction – взаємодія

roughness – шорсткість, нерівність; overall – повний, загальний

Task 2. Choose the correct answer

1. What is correct?

a. the higher the frequency of vibration, the lower the perceived pitch

b. the lower the frequency, the lower the perceived pitch

c. the higher the perceived pitch, the lower the frequency

d. the the lower the perceived pitch the higher, the higher the frequency

2. The pitch increases as the sound gets louder

a. At 1000 Hz b. below 1000 Hz c. below 2000 Hz d. above 2000 Hz

3. Concert A in England varied between

a. 439 - 452 Hz b. 435-440 Hz c. 435-452 Hz d. 1000-2000 Hz

4. A chord consists of

a. one pitch b. two pitches c. three pitches 4. Pitches

5. Transposing a piece from C major to D major will make all the notes

a. two semitones higher b. one semitone higher c. three semitones higher d. four semitones higher

Task 3. Put the questions to the underlined words:

a. The difference in frequency between two pitches is called an interval.

b. Western music theory generally divides the octaveinto a series of 12 notes that might be included in a piece of music.

Task 4. Answer the following questions:

1. What is pitch?

2. What is an interval?

3. What is rhythm?

4. What is harmony?

5. What is a melody?

6. What is musical texture?

7. What is timbre?

Task 5. Retell the text.