Scales

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Clairnote SN makes it easy to see the interval patterns that make up scales. Each type of scale has a consistent visible pattern. On the staff above, look for the different interval patterns that make up each type of scale. Notice how these interval patterns remain consistent when you transpose the scale to a different root note.

For example, the C major scale begins with three line notes, followed by four space notes. Each major scale has this same "3-line, 4-space" pattern (or vice-versa: 3-space, 4-line ). It reflects the pattern of whole step and half step intervals that make up the major scale (W-W-H-W-W-W-H).

C major scale in Clairnote SN music notation
C minor scale in Clairnote SN music notation

Minor scales also have their own particular visual pattern. As shown above, each natural minor scale has a "2-line, 3-space, 2-line" pattern (or vice-versa). This reflects its particular combination of whole steps and half steps (W-H-W-W-H-W-W).

This works because half steps are always a line note and a space note , while whole steps are always two line notes or two space notes . In traditional notation there is no visual distinction between whole steps and half steps, which makes it difficult to see and understand the interval patterns of scales. The clear and consistent visual appearance of intervals in Clairnote SN makes this much easier.

You can easily see these visual patterns in the scales shown below. "W" indicates a whole step and "H" indicates a half step.

Major Scales

All major scales in Clairnote SN music notation

Natural Minor Scales

All natural minor scales in Clairnote SN music notation

More Scales

So far we have only considered the major and natural minor scales that contain the notes found in major and minor keys. Other types of scales such as melodic minor, harmonic minor, and pentatonic each have their own distinct interval pattern that corresponds to an easily visible pattern of line and space notes in Clairnote SN, as you can see in the images below.

Melodic Minor Ascending

All melodic minor ascending scales in Clairnote SN music notation

Melodic Minor Descending

All melodic minor descending scales in Clairnote SN music notation

Harmonic Minor

All harmonic minor scales in Clairnote SN music notation
"m3" indicates a minor third.

Major Pentatonic

All major pentatonic scales in Clairnote SN music notation
"m3" indicates a minor third.

Minor Pentatonic

All minor pentatonic scales in Clairnote SN music notation
"m3" indicates a minor third.

Modes

As with the scales shown above, Clairnote SN makes it easy to see and understand the interval patterns found in modes (e.g. Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian).

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As you can see Clairnote SN represents intervals like whole steps, half steps, and minor thirds clearly and consistently. That makes it easy to see and understand the basic interval patterns that make up scales and modes — common patterns that are found in a broad range of music. Next explore how Clairnote SN clearly represents other types of intervals.

Next Page:

Intervals