Definition

Noun: 1. A series of musical notes arranged in ascending or descending order of pitch, following a specific pattern of intervals. This is the fundamental structure for melody and harmony in most Western and many other musical traditions. The pattern defines the characteristic sound of a piece of music.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The C major musical scale is often the first one taught to beginners.
  • The melody uses notes exclusively from the pentatonic scale.
  • Practicing scales is essential for developing finger dexterity on an instrument.

Advanced Usage

• "To run a scale": To play or sing the notes of a scale in sequence, often as a technical exercise.
  • The pianist began her practice session by running scales.
• "Scale degree": Refers to the position and function of a specific note within a scale (e.g., the first note is the "tonic" or first degree).
  • The seventh scale degree often creates tension that resolves to the tonic.

Variants and Related Words

• Scale (n): The common shortened form of "musical scale." In most musical contexts, "scale" is understood to mean "musical scale."
  • She practiced her scales for an hour.
• Scalar (adj): Pertaining to or resembling a scale.
  • The passage features a scalar melody.
• Diatonic Scale: A seven-note scale comprising five whole steps and two half steps in a specific pattern (e.g., major and minor scales).
• Chromatic Scale: A twelve-note scale consisting entirely of half-step intervals.
• Pentatonic Scale: A five-note scale common in many musical cultures worldwide.

Synonyms

• Gamut: (In a musical context) The complete range of notes of a scale or an instrument.
• Series of notes: A more general, descriptive term.

Related Phrases

• Scale pattern: A specific sequence of intervals that defines a type of scale.
  • The harmonic minor scale pattern includes an augmented second interval.
• Scale exercise: A practice routine designed to master playing or singing scales.

Related Idioms

• Run the gamut: To encompass a complete range of emotions, styles, or, by extension, musical notes. While not exclusively musical, it originates from the medieval Latin "gamma ut," the lowest note in the medieval scale.
  • Her performance ran the gamut from profound sorrow to joyful exuberance.

Noun

1. (music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)