Glossary, Scale
   
Glossary
Acoustic
Acoustics
Ancohemitonic

Set Theory

Atonal Theory

Set Theory

Atritonic

Set Theory

Augmented
Avoid Note
Bebop
Blues
Cardinality

Set Theory

Cardinality Equivalence

Set Theory

Cent
Chord
Chord Formula
Chord Type
Chromatic Cluster

Set Theory

Chromatic Scale
Clock Diagram

Set Theory

Cluster-free

Set Theory

Cohemitonic

Set Theory

Common Practice
Compatibility
Complement

Set Theory

Consonance
Diatonic
Diminished
Double Augmented Hexatonic
Double Diminished (Octatonic)
Eleventh
Enharmonic Equivalent
Evenness

Set Theory

Fifth
Forte Number

Set Theory

Fourth
Guitar
Harmonic Major
Harmonic Minor
Harmony
Interval
Interval Class

Set Theory

Interval Content

Set Theory

Inversion
Involution

Set Theory

Jazz
Jazz Theory
Key
Keyboard
Lewin-Quinn FC-components

Set Theory

Limited Transposition

Set Theory

M-Relation

Set Theory

Major
Melody
Minor
Mode
Ninth
Note
OC-Equivalence

Set Theory

OPC-Equivalence

Set Theory

OPTC-Equivalence

Set Theory

OPTIC-Equivalence

Set Theory

OPTIC/K-Equivalence

Set Theory

OTC-Equivalence

Set Theory

Octatonic
Octave
Octave-Equivalence

Set Theory

Other Scales
Parallel Key
Pentatonic
Permutation Equivalence

Set Theory

Piano
Pitch
Pitch Class

Set Theory

Playing Outside
Prime Form

Set Theory

Quartal

Set Theory

Reharmonization
Relative Key
Rhythm
Roman Numeral Function
Root
Scale
Second
Semitone
Set Class

Set Theory

Seventh
Sixth
Slash Chords
Suspended
Symmetry

Set Theory

Tenth
Tertiary
Third
Thirteenth
Tonality
Tonic
Transposition
Triad
Tritone
Tritonic

Set Theory

Tuning Systems
Twelfth
Twelve-tone Equal Temperament
Unison
Voice Leading
Whole Tone
Whole-Tone Scale
Z-Relation

Set Theory



Scale

Glossary

Scales (at least in Harmonious) are generalized to mean unordered collections of 5, 6, 7, or 8 notes, usually played sequentially, and from which chords and modes are built.

The collection of notes in a single scale can have multiple modes with different names, where each note in the scale is the root of a different mode. (See Diatonic Modes & Chords for a detailed explanation.) For example C Ionian (Major) and C Mixolydian have the same root and share six notes but have different parent scales and differ by one note (F v. F#). C Ionian (Major) and G Mixolydian share the same seven notes (same parent scale) but a different root (C v. G).

For chromatic-cluster-free scales that span the octave and are made entirely of semitone and whole-tone (two-semitone) steps, there are only four possible scale types: the hexatonic (six-note) whole-tone scale, the heptatonic (seven-note) diatonic and acoustic scales, and the octatonic (eight-note) diminished scale. These scales, coupled with the chromatic scale, are the foundation of jazz theory and the focus of Harmonious.

Important additional scales are the harmonic major and harmonic minor scales with their seven modes apiece; the hexatonic double augmented scale (with two modes); and the heptatonic diminished scales, subsets of the octatonic diminished scale. Together with the whole-tone, diatonic, acoustic, and diminished (octatonic) these scales are the basis of every possible chromatic-cluster-free chord or scale (Tymoczko 2011 chapter 4).

Other notable scales include: the diatonic complement, the bluesy pentatonic scale or “black keys;” the acoustic scale complement, the dominant ninth chord played as a scale; modes of the melodic minor 2 scale and modes of the Hungarian minor scale; and blues and bebop scales, formed from other cluster-free scales and modes by adding an extra grace note or passing tone (for rhythmic purposes, or to add chromatic flair).

Outside of the western tradition are many scales that can be played on 12-TET instruments: the Hindustani thaats and Carnatic ragas, many of which are represented among the scales listed above. Also, Arabic or Middle-Eastern traditions have some scales that can be played in 12-TET, including many maqam but also the Arab tone system known as gadwal uses 24-TET, or quarter tones (half of a semitone, or fifty cents).

See the Scales index.