The Art Of Scales

Scales are the basic building blocks in becoming a quality musician.

I know, I know, you've taken music lessons and your teacher instructs you . . . no, commands you to practice your scales every week.  If you are anything like me, you spend time struggling through them hurriedly so you can get onto the more "fun" and familiar pop songs that are thrown in at the end of your lesson.  We tolerate our scales, but often times don't truly learn them.  For piano players, there are a number of different finger patterns required to play all 15 (yes, I said 15) Major Scales . . . you lucky guitar players and your consistent finger patterns!

Scales are work, can feel monotonous.  But remember, scales are the building blocks in becoming a quality musician.  Scales unlock melodies, harmonies, chords, and can even explain those colorful chords that "don't belong" within a key.  Scales help define the key signature of a song and can create boundaries to the endless possibilities of music.

For you left brain individuals, music is filled with logic, reasoning, rules and regulations.  When I was attending University I heard a statistic from the Dean of Engineering that nearly 70% of the engineering students were involved with the Music Department!  Music is filled with critical thinking.  Don't freak out on me yet right brain people!  Boundaries exist to be pushed.  Color outside the lines, go against the flow.

I know far too many musicians that write and play music, they even throw in some cool sounding notes and chords that "don't belong," but because of their lack of knowledge they are unable to repeat the same beautiful mistake twice.  By taking a look at the composition of scales we can discover how to take the boundaries and then rearrange them on purpose.

First, let's take a look at the architecture of a Major Scale.  Here is the equation you need to remember:  1, 1, ½, 1, 1, 1, ½.  For all of you sports fans . . . what is this?

All you need are five of these and you have yourself a keyboard.

Let's go back to the equation:  1, 1, ½, 1, 1, 1, ½.  Start on any note and count your half steps (the distance between each key on a keyboard, or each fret on a guitar).  The equation is 1 whole step (equal to two half steps), 1 whole step, ½ step, 1 whole step, 1 whole step, 1 whole step, and finishing with ½ step. 

That my friend is the recipe for a Major Scale.  Every single Major Scale functions the same way!  Try it.  Pick a starting point, plug in your equation, and let your ears be the judge.

This is only the beginning.  Scales are the key to unlocking a world of colorful sounding possibilities.  In the words of every single music instructor I have every had:  "Scales . . . PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!"  I want to encourage you, learning the basic dance steps will help you with the choreography, but when it becomes second nature you can move past the choreography, let go, and create art!

Psalm 16:5-8 (NIV)

⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;

    you make my lot secure.

⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    surely I have a delightful inheritance.

⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

    even at night my heart instructs me.

⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.