The major scale is foundational in Western music, serving as the basis for melodies and harmonies across numerous genres. Tonally, it establishes a clear and stable key center, providing a sense of resolution and completeness. Emotionally, the major scale conveys brightness, happiness, and optimism, making it ideal for uplifting and energetic compositions.

C D E F G A B C

The natural minor scale, also known as the Aeolian mode, has a darker, more melancholic sound compared to the major scale. It's often used to create a sense of sadness, introspection, or tension in music. This scale forms the basis of minor key harmony and is essential in various genres.

A B C D E F G A

The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale widely used in various music traditions around the world. It has a simple, accessible sound that works well in many contexts. There are major and minor pentatonic scales, both offering a distinctive flavor to melodies and solos.

C D E G A C (Major Pentatonic)

The harmonic minor scale is a variation of the natural minor scale with a raised seventh degree. This alteration creates a leading tone and gives the scale a distinctive, somewhat exotic sound. It's crucial in classical music and adds intrigue to jazz and fusion compositions.

A B C D E F G# A

The melodic minor scale has different ascending and descending forms. Ascending, it features a raised 6th and 7th degree compared to the natural minor, while descending, it's identical to the natural minor. This scale is vital in jazz theory and adds sophistication to melodies.

A B C D E F# G# A (ascending) / A G F E D C B A (descending)

The chromatic scale includes all twelve pitches in Western music, each a semitone apart. It's the most comprehensive scale and forms the basis of twelve-tone music. While not typically used for entire melodies, it's crucial for understanding all possible note relationships and for creating tension and release in music.

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C

The whole tone scale is a symmetrical scale composed entirely of whole steps. It has a distinctive, somewhat dreamy or unsettling quality due to its lack of semitones. This scale is often used to create an ambiguous, floating sensation in music.

C D E F# G# A# C

The blues scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic scale with an added chromatic passing tone (the "blue note"). This scale is fundamental to blues music and rock, providing the characteristic sound associated with these genres. It's excellent for creating expressive, emotional melodies and solos.

A C D D# E G A

The Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale, characterized by a lowered seventh degree. It has a dominant quality and is commonly used in blues, rock, and jazz.

C D E F G A Bb C

The Dorian scale is the second mode of the major scale, featuring a minor third and a raised sixth. It has a slightly brighter sound than the natural minor scale and is popular in jazz and modal music.

D E F G A B C D

The Lydian scale is the fourth mode of the major scale, characterized by a raised fourth degree. It has a bright, ethereal quality and is often used in film scores and jazz.

F G A B C D E F

Time signatures define the meter of music, indicating how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat. Common time signatures include 4/4 (common time), 3/4 (waltz time), and 6/8 (compound duple time).

4/4, 3/4, 6/8

Syncopation is the placement of rhythmic accents or stresses on weak beats or off-beats. It creates a sense of rhythmic tension and is fundamental to many genres, particularly in African-derived music styles.

Varied, often using ties across bar lines or accents on off-beats

Polyrhythm involves the simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythms that are not readily perceived as deriving from one another. Common polyrhythms include 3 against 2, 4 against 3, or more complex ratios.

3:2, 4:3, etc.

Swing rhythm is characterized by a slight delay of the off-beats, creating a "long-short" feel instead of straight eighth notes. It's fundamental to jazz and has influenced many other genres.

Often notated as straight eighth notes with a "swing" indication

Dotted rhythms extend a note's duration by half its original value, creating a long-short pattern. This creates a more pointed, march-like feel and is common in various musical styles.

A note followed by a dot (e.g., dotted quarter note)

Metric modulation is a technique where the pulse of the music shifts from one meter to another, often by reinterpreting note values. It creates a seamless transition between different tempos or time feels.

Varies, often using mathematical ratios or note value equations

Hemiola refers to the ratio of 3:2 in rhythm, typically manifesting as two units of triple meter superimposed over three units of duple meter. It creates a temporary shift in the perceived meter of the music.

Often notated as accented groupings that conflict with the main meter

Tuplets are rhythmic subdivisions that involve fitting a non-standard number of notes into a standard beat duration. Common tuplets include triplets (3 notes in the space of 2) and quintuplets (5 notes in the space of 4).

Group of notes with a number indicating the subdivision (e.g., triplet marked with "3")

Functional harmony refers to the system of chords and their functions within a key, primarily focusing on tonic, subdominant, and dominant functions. It forms the basis of Western classical and popular music harmony.

I - IV - V - I

Modal harmony is based on the use of modes rather than traditional major and minor scales. It often creates a more ambiguous or open sound, and is prevalent in jazz, folk, and some contemporary classical music.

Various modal scales and chords

Chromatic harmony involves the use of notes and chords outside the prevailing key. It can create tension, surprise, and emotional depth in music, and is often used for expressive effect or modulation.

Various chromatic chords and progressions

Parallel harmony involves moving harmonies in parallel motion, often with the same chord quality. This technique can create a distinctive, somewhat "otherworldly" sound and is common in impressionist music and some modern styles.

Cmaj7 - Dbmaj7 - Dmaj7

Quartal harmony is based on chords built from fourths rather than the traditional thirds. This creates a more open, ambiguous sound often associated with modern jazz and some classical music.

C - F - Bb - Eb

A pedal point is a sustained note, typically in the bass, over which harmonies change. It creates a sense of tension and anticipation, and can be used to establish or reinforce a tonal center.

Sustained bass note with changing harmonies above

Polytonality involves the simultaneous use of two or more tonal centers. This creates a complex, often dissonant sound that challenges traditional notions of harmony and tonality.

Multiple key signatures or conflicting tonal centers

Extended harmony refers to the use of chord tones beyond the seventh, including 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths. This creates richer, more complex harmonies often used in jazz and some contemporary classical music.

Cmaj9, G13, Fm11

The unison is the interval between two identical pitches. It provides a sense of unity and reinforcement in melodies and harmonies.

C - C

The minor second is the smallest interval in Western music. It creates a strong sense of tension and dissonance.

C - Db

The major third is a fundamental interval in Western harmony. It is the defining interval of major chords and scales, conveying a bright and happy quality.

C - E

The perfect fifth is considered one of the most consonant intervals. It forms the basis of many chords and provides a strong sense of stability.

C - G

The tritone, also known as the augmented fourth or diminished fifth, is an interval that spans three whole tones. It has a highly unstable and tense quality.

C - F#

The octave is the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. It creates a sense of sameness and completion.

C - C (one octave higher)

The major second is a whole step interval, creating a sense of movement and tension.

C - D

The minor third is a foundational interval in Western harmony, defining minor chords and scales.

C - Eb

The perfect fourth is a consonant interval that plays a crucial role in many harmonic progressions.

C - F

The major sixth is a consonant interval that adds warmth and richness to harmonies.

C - A

The minor seventh is a key interval in dominant seventh chords and adds tension to harmonies.

C - Bb

The I-IV-V progression is one of the most fundamental chord sequences in Western music. It establishes a strong sense of tonality and provides a satisfying resolution.

C - F - G (in C major)

The ii-V-I progression is a fundamental harmonic movement in jazz and popular music. It creates a strong pull towards the tonic and is often used as a turnaround.

Dm7 - G7 - CMaj7 (in C major)

The Andalusian cadence is a chord progression descending stepwise from the minor scale's fourth degree to its first. It's common in flamenco and rock music.

Am - G - F - E (in A minor)

The twelve-bar blues is a fundamental progression in blues and rock music. It typically follows a I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-I pattern.

C7 - C7 - C7 - C7 - F7 - F7 - C7 - C7 - G7 - F7 - C7 - C7

The circle of fifths progression moves through chords related by perfect fifths. It creates a sense of harmonic motion and is used in various musical styles.

C - F - Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - B - E - A - D - G - C

The I-vi-IV-V progression, also known as the '50s progression, is a common chord sequence in pop and rock music. It creates a sense of movement and emotional depth.

C - Am - F - G (in C major)

The I-V-vi-IV progression is a widely used chord sequence in contemporary pop music. It creates a sense of emotional build-up and release.

C - G - Am - F (in C major)

The Ionian mode is identical to the major scale. It has a bright, happy sound and is the foundation for much of Western music.

C D E F G A B C

The Dorian mode is a minor scale with a raised sixth degree, creating a brighter sound than the natural minor scale. Popular in jazz, folk, and modal music.

D E F G A B C D

The Phrygian mode is a minor scale with a lowered second degree. It has a distinctly Spanish or Eastern flavor and creates a sense of tension.

E F G A B C D E

The Lydian mode is a major scale with a raised fourth degree. It has a dreamy, ethereal quality and is often used in film scores and jazz.

F G A B C D E F

The Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a lowered seventh degree. It has a dominant quality and is commonly used in blues, rock, and jazz.

G A B C D E F G

The Aeolian mode is identical to the natural minor scale. It has a melancholic, introspective sound and is widely used in various genres of music.

A B C D E F G A

The Locrian mode is the most dissonant of the seven modes, with a diminished fifth and lowered second degree. It's rarely used as the main tonality but can add intense color and tension.

B C D E F G A B

A major triad consists of the root, major third, and perfect fifth. It conveys a bright, happy, and stable emotional quality.

C (1) E (3) G (5)

A minor triad consists of the root, minor third, and perfect fifth. It often evokes a sad, melancholic, or mysterious feeling.

A (1) C (b3) E (5)

A diminished triad is built with a root, minor third, and diminished fifth. It creates a tense, unstable, and unresolved sound.

B (1) D (b3) F (b5)

An augmented triad consists of a root, major third, and augmented fifth. It has a bright, jazzy, and sometimes dissonant quality.

C (1) E (3) G# (5)

Seventh chords add another layer of complexity and color to harmonies. They can be major, minor, dominant, half-diminished, etc., each with its own unique character.

C (1) E (3) G (5) B (7)

Exploring advanced harmonic concepts opens up a world of creative possibilities.

Various

A major seventh chord consists of a major triad with an added major seventh. It has a lush, dreamy quality often used in jazz and contemporary music.

C E G B

A minor seventh chord consists of a minor triad with an added minor seventh. It has a mellow, jazzy quality and is widely used in various genres.

C Eb G Bb

A half-diminished chord (also known as minor seventh flat five) consists of a diminished triad with an added minor seventh. It has a tense, unstable quality often used in jazz and classical music.

C Eb Gb Bb