Page 58 - Music

Activity 3.4

Construct an ascending F major scale on a bass staff while indicating tone and
semitone distances.

(d) The D major scale
To construct a D major scale, you need to arrange a series of eight notes starting
from the first note, which is D, while following the pattern for constructing major
scales, which is T-T-S-T-T-T-S. The following are steps that can be followed
when constructing the D major scale:
(i) Step 1: Write a series of eight notes from note D: D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D

(ii) Step 2: Count the steps between notes by following the pattern for constructing
major scales (T-T-S-T-T-T-S) as follows:
(a) From note D to E = Tone (T)
(b) From note E to F = Semitone (S); however, since the pattern for major
scale requires you to count the whole step or tone (T), you have to increase
the distance between note E and F. This can be done by raising note F
using a sharp (♯) sign in order to get the whole step or tone. Therefore, you
will count from note E to F♯ = Tone (T).
(c) From note F♯ to G = Semitone (S)
(d) From note G to A = Tone (T)
(e) From note A to B = Tone (T)

(f) From note B to C = Semitone (S); however, since the pattern for major scales
requires you to count the whole step or tone (T), you have to increase the
distance between note B and C. This can be done by raising note C using
a sharp (♯) sign in order to get the whole step or tone. Therefore, you will
count from note B to C♯ = Tone (T).
(g) From note C♯ to D = Semitone (S)

The order of D major scale obtained is D-E-F♯-G-A-B-C♯-D. Figures 3.27 and
3.28 show the ascending D major scale constructed on a piano and treble staff.

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