A scale is the skeleton on which tonal music stands. In the Western tradition, the primary scales are the major (with steps 1-1-½-1-1-1-½) and the minor in three forms (natural, harmonic, melodic).
Performing musicians play scales every day: they are both a training tool for the fingers and an ear-preparation for feeling tonality. Beyond the classical repertoire there are unique scales: the blues scale (with “blue” notes), the pentatonic (five pitches), the whole-tone scale (used extensively by Debussy), Eastern modes with microtones — each with its own character.
A scale is the pitch series of a mode laid out consecutively within an octave and beyond. The degrees of a scale are marked with Roman numerals and have names: I — tonic, IV — subdominant, V — dominant, VII — leading tone. The order of tones and semitones defines the scale's character, and its “anchor” degrees set up its pull. Mastering the scales of various modes and keys is the foundation of both music theory and a performer's daily technical work.
