Basic Scales 3
The Major Scale
The Major scale is the most widely used scale in western music. When we talk about any aspect of harmony and theory, we are referring to it in comparison to the Major Scale. This is an important one to know!
It is a bright sounding scale, although the presence of the 4th and 7th degrees can create quite a clash against an ordinary major chord. The Major scale can be heard in use everywhere from Nursery rhymes to Jazz and Pop songs.
The formula for this scale is:
R – 2 – 3 – 4 - 5 – 6 - 7
In the key of C
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In the key of G
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Check out the bass line to Nina Simone’s classic ‘My Baby Just Cares for me’ to hear a great descending Major scale theme.
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.My Baby Just Cares For Me
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Another great example is the Jackson 5 tune ‘Mama’s Pearl’. Killer bass riff at 0:11.
.Mama’s Pearl
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