Hi Friends...I have found that many find it difficult to understand Keys Scales So I thought I would put this together to help understand. This particular information applies only to Major Scales.
Are Scales and keys a mystery to you.? There is no need for them to be so as I will show you
Here is what is known as the Musical alphabet (Musical Notes) with the degree's between them
**
A 1ToneB1/2 Tone C 1ToneD1ToneE 1/2 ToneF1ToneG1ToneA
1 Tone = 2 frets 1/2 Tone = 1 Fret Flat is towards the "Nut" and Sharp is towards the Bridge.
The Major Scale is built on the following formula
Tone-Tone-Half Tone-Tone-Tone- Tone-Half Tone.
so 1 1 1/2 1 1 1 1/2
When building a Scale check with the musical alphabet what degree is between the notes and what there needs to be to create a major scale.
Using the major formula lets see why the "Key" of "C" has NO sharps or flats.
First start by writing down your desired key, in this case;C;
C D E F G A B C
Applying the major formula 1 1 1/2 1 1 1 1/2 lets check the above.
Check with the Musical alphabet **
Between C and D is 1 tone which we want Between D and E is 1 Tone which is what we want between E and F is 1/2 Tone which is what we want...follow on and you will see that the formula says that in the key of ;C; there are NO Sharps or Flats
Now lets take the Key of ;D
D E F G A B C D
Between D and E is 1 tone which we want, between E and F is 1/2 Tone and we need 1 Tone so we have to add a fret or 1/2 tone and we get F#, between F# and G is 1/2 Tone which we want Between G and A is 1 Tone which we want Between B and C is 1/2 Tone and we want 1 tone so we move 1 fret and get C# between C# and D is 1/2 Tone that we need.
So in the key of ;D; F is sharp and C is sharp So anytime you come across F or C in the key of D in music they must be played sharp.
I hope this is not to messy and that it is understandable.
Thats me second from the left back in 1978
Fenderphil
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