3 Families of Scales - Major, Minor, Dominant

Scales can be generally divided into 3 families - major scales, minor scales, and dominant scales. While there are other scales that don't fit into any of these three catagories, understanding the function of the major, minor, and dominant scales will develop a solid musical foundation from which you'll be able to interpret and apply any scale.

Tonality - Scale Structure

Note Names

C

Db

D

Eb

E

F

F#

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C Major Scale

1

_

2

_

3

4

_

5

_

6

_

7

C Minor Scale

1

_

2

b3

_

4

_

5

b6

_

b7

_

C Dominant Scale

1

_

2

_

3

4

_

5

_

6

b7

_

12 Tone Octave illustrating Intervals ( _ ) in relation to Scale Notes (#)