In this lesson we'll build 4 simple cardboard tools
to look up a whole lot of thrilling musical scales.
Some of the scales are probably very well known to you
but some are also a lot more rare, thrilling and exotic.
The 4 tools also show you what scales to use
when playing a specific chord.
So if we stumble upon for example the minor 7 chord
then we can look up all the different scales
we can use on that specific chord.
So with the 4 simple cardboard tools in hand
you'll be able to discover and explore a huge world of great sounds.
Each of the 4 tools represents a family of 7 scales.
That means we'll have 4 times 7 different scales
that's 28 different scales in total.
In previous lessons we have become acquainted
with similar cardboard tools.
But in this lesson we gather all 4 tools
and we end up seeing the very big picture
of how all the scales are ordered and organized.
A subscriber named "nupfe" has redesigned the 4 tools.
So now they look really great and professional
and in many ways they are also simpler and easier to handle.
So a big big thanks to "nupfe".
Ok, let's start up with the most basic scales
and then we'll save the more exotic scales for later on.
Here we have the first tool.
It's two discs that can rotate upon each other…
The tool is very easy to build.
Below I will paste a link to a PDF with the two circles.
Use some rather thick paper.
Print and cut out the two discs.
Connect the two discs by the center.
You can for example use a book screw like this one.
I'll paste a link where to buy these below.
Now, let's magnify the tool on top of the keyboard...
So, now we can better see what's going on.
On the lower disc we see the different scale names.
For example we have the Major scale…
and the natural minor scale...
On the upper disc we have all 12 keys on the piano...
This tool represents a family of 7 scales called the Major modes.
It's not because all the scales are in Major
it's just because the Major scale is a member of the family
and the family is named after that member.
By the way, we can also use the name Church Modes
when referring to this family of scales.
Now what we simply do is that we choose a scale on the lower disc
what about starting this lesson with the most well known of all scales
the Major scale…
then we choose a tonality on the upper disc
for example the keynote F...
and we point the f note and the Major scale together like this...
Now the F Major scale is pointed out by all the other scales on the disc...
That's why the 7 scales on this circle are related in the same family.
The scales point out each other.
So the F Major scale notes are...
f, g, a, bb, c, d and e
On what chord can we play this Major scale?
Well, look at the chord inside the brackets;
here we have the "Ma7" chord.
So if we stumble upon an "F Ma7" chord
we can use the F Major scale as our improvisation material.
Let's try this out...
Now, this Major scale may sound a little too basic and traditional.
Maybe we can provide the "Ma7" chord
with a more thrilling and compelling sound.
So is there any other scale we can use on the "Ma7" chord?
Let's take a look at the chords inside the brackets.
The "mi7" chord goes with the Dorian scale
and "mi7" goes with Phrygian
and YES here we have the "Ma7" chord.
So we can play the Lydian scale on top of our chord.
Now, we play the F Major chord
and therefore we need to look up the F Lydian scale.
So let's turn the upper disc to the F note…
And here we got the F Lydian scale;
f, g, a, b, c, d and e.
All the white keys.
So let's play a little solo…
This scale sounds very bright and clear I think.
In many cases the Lydian scale
is a great alternative to the Major scale
but not always
it depends on what kind of sound we want.
Ok, what if we have an "Fmi7" chord?
What scales can we use?
Well, just look for "mi7" inside the brackets.
So we can play for example natural minor
or what about Dorian?
Let's locate the F Dorian…
And here we got the notes…
So let's play an F Dorian solo on the "Fmi7" chord...
Dorian is almost like a natural minor scale
but with a raised 6th step.
Now it's all up to you to explore the other scales on the tool…
choose a chord and a scale that fits.
Just play around
have fun and listen to and enjoy
the unique qualities of your scale in hand…
Ok, let's look at another family of scales...
This tool works in the exact same way as the former tool.
But now we have 7 new scales...
Now look, the ascending melodic minor scale is one of them.
That's why this family of scales is called the melodic minor modes.
So what about looking up this melodic minor scale…
in F…
So here we got the scale…
and what chord fits this scale?
The "mi Ma7" chord.
Look, if we pick up every second note
from the keynote of the scale
and make a stack of thirds
we actually build up the tonic chord of our scale.
Now let's play a little solo…
So now we play the "Fmi Ma7" chord in the left hand
and we improvise a solo
using the melodic minor scale in the right hand...
Ok, let's try to improvise on top of another type of chord
what about the "7" chord.
So we look for "7" chords in the brackets:
"mi7"
"Ma7 #5"
and YES here we have a "7" chord.
So we can play the Lydian dominant scale on that chord.
Now we have the "F7" chord in our left hand
so let's locate the scale in F…
Let's explore the scale and play a little solo…
nice sound right?
Ok, let me show another scale from this melodic minor family.
What about this very interesting Lydian augmented scale
in F…
Here we got it…
and the "Ma7 #5" chord fits this scale…
Let's play a solo…
wow right, what a bright sound we have here…
This family of melodic minor modes
contains many fantastic sound landscapes…
Now look up the scales yourself
and explore the different sounds...
Ok, let's have a look on the next family.
Now the sounds get even more exotic.
So are you ready for this?
This family is called the harmonic minor modes
because we have the harmonic minor scale right here.
Let's look up the F harmonic minor scale…
And let's play a little solo on the "mi Ma7" chord…
Look the scale is almost like a natural minor scale…
but with a raised 7th step
and we got this thrilling sound...
Ok, what about looking up the Phrygian Major scale…
in F...
We can play this scale on the "7" chord...
This scale is very funny
because it's very minor like and dark
with its minor second,
minor seventh
and minor sixth step.
But then it surprises
with this very clear and bright Major third step…
minor sound…
Major...
Ok, what about looking up the Major #5 scale…
in F…
And we improvise a solo…
Wow, right?
This scale is like a Major scale...
but with an augmented 5th step…
So now I think it should be up to you
to explore the rest of all these great scales
of the harmonic minor family...
because here comes the fourth and final and ultimate family of scales…
The harmonic Major modes.
These scales are very exotic and rare
but nevertheless also very compelling and thrilling.
So we simply have to explore these sounds.
This family is called the harmonic Major modes
because of the harmonic Major scale we got right here…
Let's look up the F harmonic Major scale...
So let's play the F harmonic Major on top of the "F Ma7" chord...
Wow right?
This scale is almost like the harmonic minor scale...
But we have a Major third step...
That's why the scale is called harmonic Major.
Ok, let's find another thrilling scale to explore.
What if we are playing our left hand chord in minor…
the "mi Ma7" chord...
What scale can we use on this chord?
Here; "mi Ma7"
the Lydian b3 scale.
Let's choose our F tonality…
and let's improvise Music…
Well, I can just sit here for hours
exploring not only this family
but all 4 families, 4 tools.
Actually this exploration is a life time project
and isn't that fantastic.
And don't be overwhelmed
just focus on ONE scale at a time
and then immerse yourself into the sound…
Ok, what is the big picture of all this?
Well, these 4 circular tools actually show us
every single scale that contains 7 notes.
All these scales are created under certain conditions though.
The conditions are;
1) The scale must be framed by an octave.
2) The scale contains only half, whole and whole-and-a-half steps.
3) Half steps cannot be neighbors.
4) Whole-and-a-half steps cannot be neighbors.
5) Whole steps and whole-and-a-half steps cannot be neighbors.
If we comply with these simple rules or assumptions
the result is 28 harmonic and melodic scales
classified into 4 families represented by the 4 circular tools.
We have them all here.
There are no other scales outside this well defined system
that comply with all the rules above.
So here we have a well ordered mathematical and closed system.
And this simple system of 4 families
is actually very easy to comprehend, right?
Now the hard work is to look up
and explore and play all these many modes.
But as I said earlier, this work is actually really fun.
And don't think that you wanna learn them all at once
just look up a single scale at a time
when you need it
and immerse yourself into this scale
and enjoy the sound you make.
Well, that's it.
At Patreon or PayPal you are so much welcome
to support my work and make a small voluntary donation.
I'm so grateful for all of you who have supported me.
You make all this real to me.
With donations I'm able to make more
free and public Music lessons here on YouTube.
So thanks a lot girls and guys.
You can also help me out
and translate some of the English subtitles
to your preferred language.
All my lessons are open for translation.
In this way you will also help a lot of people
who don't speak English.
Well, thanks a lot for everything.
The best and warm regards from
Oliver Prehn
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