Question 1: What is a scale in music, and why is it important for composers and performers?

Answer: A scale is a sequence of musical notes ordered by pitch, usually within an octave. It provides the foundation for melodies, harmonies, and improvisation, making it essential for composers and performers to understand musical structure.

Question 2: Describe the main difference between a major scale and a minor scale.

Answer: A major scale has a happy or bright sound, built with a specific pattern of whole and half steps: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. A minor scale has a sad or somber sound, with a different pattern, typically starting with a different sequence of intervals, often involving a lowered third note.

Question 3: Name the notes in the C major scale.

Answer: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.

Question 4: Using the pattern of whole and half steps, write out the notes of the G major scale.

Answer: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G.

Question 5: What is the difference between a natural minor scale and a harmonic minor scale?

Answer: A natural minor scale follows the standard minor pattern with a lowered third, sixth, and seventh notes. A harmonic minor scale raises the seventh note by a half step, creating a leading tone that sounds more 'resolved' when approaching the octave.

Question 6: Listen carefully to the following description of a scale: It begins on D, uses the pattern of whole and half steps: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Identify the type of scale this describes.

Answer: D major scale.

Question 7: Sketch a simple diagram of a major scale's pattern of whole and half steps, showing the sequence from the first to the eighth note.

Answer: A sequence starting with a circle labeled '1' (the root), followed by '2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7', '8' (octave), with markings indicating 'whole' steps between notes 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, and 'half' steps between 3-4 and 7-8.

Question 8: Explain why the minor scale sounds different from the major scale, even if they start on the same note.

Answer: The minor scale has a different pattern of intervals, especially a lowered third, sixth, and seventh notes, which gives it a darker, more somber sound compared to the bright, happy sound of the major scale.

Question 9: Imagine a melody that uses only notes from a C natural minor scale. List all the notes you would expect to hear.

Answer: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C.

Question 10: Draw a diagram showing the intervals between each note in an ascending G major scale. Use whole and half step symbols to illustrate.

Answer: A diagram with notes G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G, with annotations showing 'whole' steps between G-A, A-B, C-D, D-E, E-F#, and 'half' steps between B-C and F#-G.