2.2 Intervals and scales in melody writing
3 min read•august 6, 2024
Intervals and scales are the building blocks of melody writing. They provide the framework for creating memorable tunes and evoking specific emotions. Understanding these elements helps songwriters craft melodies that resonate with listeners and enhance the overall musical experience.
From major and minor scales to pentatonic and blues scales, each type offers unique tonal colors. Modes add variety, while intervals create tension and resolution. Mastering these concepts allows songwriters to craft expressive melodies that captivate audiences and convey powerful musical ideas.
Scale Types
Major and Minor Scales
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- consists of a specific pattern of whole and half steps (W-W-H-W-W-W-H) starting from the note
- has three variations: natural, harmonic, and melodic
- follows the pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W starting from the tonic note
- raises the 7th by a , creating an augmented 2nd interval between the 6th and 7th scale degrees
- raises the 6th and 7th scale degrees when ascending and reverts to the natural minor when descending
Pentatonic and Blues Scales
- is a five-note scale commonly used in various musical genres (folk, rock, blues)
- is formed by removing the 4th and 7th scale degrees from the major scale
- is formed by removing the 2nd and 6th scale degrees from the natural minor scale
- is a six-note scale that adds a flatted 5th (or sharp 4th) to the minor pentatonic scale, creating a characteristic "blue note" sound
Modes
- Modes are scales derived from the major scale by starting on different scale degrees
- Ionian (major scale), Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian (natural minor), and Locrian modes
- Each mode has a unique interval pattern and characteristic sound
- Modes are often used in jazz, classical, and progressive rock music to create distinct tonal colors and moods
Interval Classifications
Consonant and Dissonant Intervals
- Consonant intervals are intervals that sound stable and pleasing to the ear
- Perfect consonances: unison, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, and
- Imperfect consonances: major and minor 3rds and 6ths
- Dissonant intervals are intervals that sound unstable, tense, or harsh and create a sense of musical tension
- Dissonant intervals include major and minor 2nds and 7ths, as well as tritones (augmented 4th or diminished 5th)
Perfect Intervals and Octaves
- Perfect intervals are the most consonant intervals and have a strong sense of resolution
- Perfect intervals include unison, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, and octave
- These intervals are called "perfect" because they remain the same quality (major or minor) when inverted
- Octave is the interval between two notes that have a frequency ratio of 2:1
- Notes an octave apart have the same letter name and are perceived as being very similar in pitch
- Octaves are used to create a sense of resolution and to extend the range of a melody
Additional Melodic Elements
Chromatic Notes
- Chromatic notes are notes that do not belong to the current scale or key
- These notes are often used to create tension, add color, or serve as passing tones between scale degrees
- Chromatic notes can be approached and resolved by half-step motion, creating a smooth melodic flow
- Accidentals (sharps, flats, and naturals) are used to notate chromatic notes in a melody
- Raised or lowered scale degrees can create a sense of direction and pull towards a resolution
- Chromatic alterations can also be used to modulate to different keys or to create a sense of tonal ambiguity
Key Terms to Review (37)
Accidental: An accidental is a symbol used in music notation to indicate a change in pitch from the natural note, usually raising or lowering it. Accidental notes can introduce chromaticism to melodies, allowing for more complex harmonic structures and emotional expressions. They are essential in the context of melody writing as they create tension and resolution, enriching the musical narrative.
Aeolian Mode: The Aeolian mode is the sixth mode of the diatonic scale, often referred to as the natural minor scale. It is characterized by its unique sequence of whole and half steps, which create a specific sound quality that is often perceived as somber or melancholic. Understanding this mode is essential for melody writing, as it influences the emotional tone and harmonic structure of a piece.
Blues scale: The blues scale is a musical scale that consists of six notes, commonly used in blues music, characterized by its unique intervals which give it a distinctively soulful and expressive sound. This scale is built on the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth, known as the 'blue note,' allowing for expressive bends and slides in melody writing. Its structure makes it an essential tool for composers and songwriters when creating melodies that evoke emotion and convey a sense of longing or sadness.
Chromatic note: A chromatic note is a note that is not part of the standard diatonic scale and typically deviates from the key signature, often created by raising or lowering a pitch by a half step. These notes add color and tension to melodies, enriching harmonic progressions and expanding the expressive possibilities in songwriting. Chromatic notes are crucial in melody writing as they help bridge intervals, create movement, and can evoke different emotional responses.
Consonance: Consonance refers to the combination of sounds that are harmonious or pleasing to the ear, typically involving the stability and resolution of musical intervals or chords. It contrasts with dissonance, which creates tension and unrest. In music, consonance is essential for creating a sense of closure or completeness, influencing how melodies, harmonies, and lyrical content interact with one another.
Dissonance: Dissonance refers to a combination of tones that clash or create a sense of tension and instability, often requiring resolution to a more stable harmony. It plays a crucial role in music by adding emotional depth and complexity, making it an essential tool for songwriters to express conflict, tension, or drama in their compositions. Understanding how dissonance interacts with consonance can enhance harmonic progressions, inform chord voicings, and shape melodic development.
Dorian Mode: The Dorian mode is the second mode of the major scale, characterized by a natural minor scale with a raised sixth degree. This mode offers a unique sound that blends the qualities of minor and major, making it versatile for various musical styles. The Dorian mode can be used to create rich harmonic textures and compelling melodies, allowing songwriters to explore deeper emotional expressions in their compositions.
Half step: A half step is the smallest interval used in Western music, representing the distance between two adjacent notes on a scale. It is essential in constructing scales and intervals, as it defines how melodies move between pitches. Understanding half steps helps in recognizing the structure of major and minor scales, as well as the creation of various musical motifs.
Harmonic minor scale: The harmonic minor scale is a seven-note scale that is derived from the natural minor scale by raising the seventh note by a half step. This alteration creates a unique sound characterized by a leading tone that resolves to the tonic, giving it a more dramatic and tense quality, which is especially useful in melody writing and harmony.
Imperfect consonance: Imperfect consonance refers to musical intervals that are generally perceived as harmonically stable but not completely resolved, creating a sense of tension. These intervals often include major and minor thirds, and sixths, which add richness and depth to melodies while still allowing for a subtle feeling of dissonance. They play a vital role in melody writing by adding complexity and emotional nuance.
Ionian mode: The Ionian mode is a musical scale that corresponds to the major scale and is characterized by its bright, happy sound. It consists of seven notes and follows a specific pattern of whole and half steps, which creates a distinct tonal quality. This mode is crucial in melody writing as it establishes the foundation for many melodies and harmonies in Western music.
Locrian Mode: The Locrian mode is the seventh mode of the major scale, characterized by its unique sequence of whole and half steps, specifically featuring a flat second, flat fifth, and a diminished triad. This mode often conveys a dark or dissonant sound, which makes it less commonly used in Western music compared to other modes. Understanding the Locrian mode is essential for analyzing melodies and harmonies in music, as it provides insight into how intervals and scales function in composition.
Lydian mode: The lydian mode is a musical scale that is the fourth mode of the major scale, characterized by a raised fourth degree. It creates a distinct sound that is often perceived as bright and ethereal, making it popular in various musical genres. This mode can be particularly effective in advanced harmony techniques, allowing for unique chord progressions and modal interchange, as well as in melody writing where its intervals can inspire creativity and evoke specific emotions.
Major pentatonic scale: The major pentatonic scale is a five-note scale derived from the major scale by omitting the fourth and seventh degrees. This scale is widely used in various music genres, providing a bright and uplifting sound, making it especially popular in folk, rock, and blues music. Its structure allows for flexible melody writing and can evoke emotions ranging from joy to nostalgia.
Major scale: A major scale is a diatonic scale that consists of seven distinct notes arranged in a specific pattern of whole and half steps. It is characterized by its bright and happy sound, often used as the foundation for melodies and harmonies in Western music. The major scale serves as a crucial element in understanding intervals, chord progressions, and overall melody writing.
Major second: A major second is an interval in music that spans two half steps, or one whole step, between two notes. This interval is fundamental in melody writing as it creates a sense of movement and connection between notes, often serving as the building block for scales and melodies. The major second can evoke feelings of brightness and positivity, making it a popular choice in various musical styles.
Major seventh: A major seventh is an interval that spans seven scale degrees and is characterized by a specific distance of eleven half steps from the root note. This interval is crucial in creating harmony and adding emotional depth to melodies. It is often used in various musical genres, enriching chords and enhancing the overall sound of a piece.
Major sixth: A major sixth is a musical interval that spans six scale degrees and has a specific distance of nine half steps between the two notes. This interval creates a bright and harmonious sound that can evoke feelings of joy and resolution in melodies. The major sixth is an essential component of melody writing, providing both tension and release in musical phrases.
Major third: A major third is an interval in music that spans four half steps or semitones, which creates a sound that is often described as bright and uplifting. This interval is a fundamental building block in melody writing, as it contributes to the overall harmony and emotional quality of a piece. Major thirds are commonly found in scales, chords, and melodic lines, playing a significant role in establishing tonal relationships and musical structures.
Melodic minor scale: The melodic minor scale is a musical scale that consists of a specific pattern of whole and half steps, primarily used in melody writing. It differs from the natural minor scale by having a raised sixth and seventh degree when ascending, while descending it typically reverts to the natural minor scale. This unique structure allows for smoother melodic lines and offers composers and songwriters greater flexibility in creating tension and resolution within their melodies.
Minor pentatonic scale: The minor pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that is derived from the natural minor scale by omitting the second and sixth degrees. This scale is widely used in various musical genres, particularly in blues, rock, and jazz, because of its versatile and emotive sound. Its structure allows for smooth melodic lines and improvisation, making it a favorite among musicians for creating memorable melodies.
Minor scale: A minor scale is a musical scale that features a specific pattern of whole and half steps, which gives it a distinct sound that is often perceived as darker or more melancholic compared to major scales. The most common form of the minor scale is the natural minor scale, which follows the pattern of whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole steps. This unique arrangement influences melody writing by creating emotional depth and contrasting character in musical compositions.
Minor second: A minor second is an interval that spans two half steps or semitones, resulting in a close, dissonant sound. This interval is essential in melody writing, as it adds tension and can evoke feelings of unease or anticipation. It serves as a building block for creating more complex melodies and can be found in various scales, contributing to the overall harmonic structure of a piece.
Minor seventh: A minor seventh is an interval that spans seven scale degrees and is characterized by a specific relationship between the two notes involved, where the higher note is one whole step below the octave of the lower note. This interval is formed by taking a root note and moving down a minor seventh, which consists of ten half steps. Minor sevenths are essential in constructing various chords and harmonies, enriching melodic writing by creating tension and resolution.
Minor sixth: A minor sixth is an interval that spans six scale degrees and is characterized by a distance of eight half steps (semitones) between the two notes. This interval has a unique sound that can evoke feelings of melancholy or tension, often used in various musical contexts to create depth in melodies. Understanding this interval is crucial for melody writing, as it influences the emotional quality and harmonic structure of musical compositions.
Minor third: A minor third is an interval that spans three half steps or semitones, creating a specific distance between two notes. It is a fundamental building block in music theory, particularly in melody writing, as it helps establish the emotional quality of a piece. The minor third interval is often associated with a sad or somber sound, contrasting with the brighter sound of a major third.
Mixolydian mode: The mixolydian mode is a musical scale that is similar to the major scale but has a lowered seventh degree. It creates a unique sound that is often described as having a bluesy or folk-like quality. This mode is used frequently in various musical styles, influencing the way melodies are crafted and harmonized.
Natural minor scale: The natural minor scale is a seven-note scale that follows a specific pattern of whole and half steps, creating a distinct sound characterized by its darker, more somber quality compared to major scales. This scale can be derived from the major scale by lowering the third, sixth, and seventh degrees, which results in a unique interval structure that influences melody writing by providing a different emotional palette for composers and songwriters.
Octave: An octave is the interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency. It represents a fundamental concept in music theory, as it defines the distance between two notes that are perceived as the same note in different registers. This relationship not only contributes to the structure of scales but also plays a vital role in melody writing, allowing composers to create harmonies and textures that resonate with listeners.
Pentatonic scale: A pentatonic scale is a musical scale containing five notes per octave, typically omitting the fourth and seventh degrees of the diatonic scale. This simplicity allows for melodies that are easy to remember and pleasing to the ear, making it a common choice in various musical genres across cultures.
Perfect consonance: Perfect consonance refers to a relationship between two musical notes that sound particularly stable and harmonious together, typically involving intervals such as the perfect fifth and perfect octave. These intervals are characterized by a strong sense of resolution and are often used to create a feeling of completeness in melodies and harmonies. The stability provided by perfect consonance plays a crucial role in melody writing, as it helps to establish tonal centers and can evoke emotional responses in listeners.
Perfect interval: A perfect interval is a type of musical interval that is considered stable and consonant, typically characterized by the relationship between the first and fourth or fifth degrees of a scale. Perfect intervals include the perfect unison, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, and perfect octave. These intervals have a harmonious quality and are foundational in melody writing, as they contribute to the overall structure and feel of musical compositions.
Phrygian Mode: The Phrygian mode is the third mode of the diatonic scale, characterized by a specific sequence of intervals that gives it a distinct sound. It consists of a root note, a minor second, a minor third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor sixth, and a minor seventh. This mode is often associated with a Spanish or Eastern sound and can be effectively used in advanced harmony techniques and melody writing.
Scale degree: A scale degree refers to the position of a note within a musical scale, which is typically numbered from 1 to 7 (or 1 to 8 for an octave). Each degree has its own function and significance, impacting melody writing by influencing the movement and resolution of musical phrases. Understanding scale degrees is essential for crafting melodies that convey specific emotions and relationships between notes.
Tonic: The tonic is the first note of a scale and serves as the home base or primary reference point in music. It establishes the tonal center, which is crucial for understanding harmony and melody, as it influences how chords are constructed and how melodies are shaped within a piece. The tonic is foundational to creating musical progressions and determining the emotional quality of music.
Tritone: A tritone is a musical interval that spans three whole tones, or six half steps, and is often described as dissonant or unstable. It creates a sense of tension that begs for resolution in harmonic progressions, making it a key element in both tension-building and melodic writing. This unique interval can evoke strong emotional responses and is frequently used in various musical styles to create contrast and drama.
Whole step: A whole step is a musical interval that spans two half steps, which means it is the distance between two notes that are separated by one whole tone. It serves as a fundamental building block in melody writing, contributing to the construction of scales and harmonic progressions. Whole steps create a smooth and connected flow in melodies, helping to establish musical phrasing and emotional expression.