Understanding scales is at the heart of music theory — they shape melody, harmony, key, and even style. From major and minor scales to the introduction of modes, here’s how ABRSM builds this crucial knowledge step by step.
🔍 What Is a Scale?
A scale is a sequence of notes in ascending or descending order, organised by tones and semitones. Most Western music is built from major and minor scales, but by Grade 5, modes also begin to appear.
🎓 Grade-by-Grade Requirements
🎵 Grade 1
- Understand:
- C, G, F major scales
- Use of key signatures
- Name and identify:
- Tones and semitones
📌 Tip: Major scale pattern: T–T–S–T–T–T–S
🎵 Grade 2
- Add major scales:
- D, A, B♭ major
- Recognise and write scales:
- With or without key signatures
- Begin minor scale awareness
- Use relative minor terms
📌 Tip: A minor is the relative minor of C major (shares the same key signature).
🎵 Grade 3
- Full understanding of:
- All major and minor scales up to 4 sharps/flats
- Distinguish between:
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
📌 Scale patterns:
- Harmonic minor: raise the 7th note (e.g., A–B–C–D–E–F–G♯–A)
- Melodic minor: raise both 6th and 7th ascending; revert to natural minor descending
🎵 Grade 4
- Greater fluency in writing and identifying:
- All major and minor scales up to 5 sharps/flats
- Minor key relationships: relative and tonic
- Scales in different clefs (treble, bass, alto)
📌 Tip: Learn to switch between scales with key signatures and without (writing accidentals instead).
🎵 Grade 5
- All scales up to 6 sharps/flats
- Modal awareness:
- Identify and describe modes (especially Dorian and Mixolydian)
- Recognise the tonal function of scales and modulations to related keys
📌 Modes overview:
| Mode | Starts on (in C) | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ionian | C | Major (same as major scale) |
| Dorian | D | Minor with raised 6th |
| Phrygian | E | Minor with lowered 2nd |
| Lydian | F | Major with raised 4th |
| Mixolydian | G | Major with lowered 7th |
| Aeolian | A | Natural minor |
| Locrian | B | Diminished – rare in tonal music |
🧠 Identifying Key Signatures
Use the circle of fifths:
- For sharps (♯): G, D, A, E, B, F♯ (1–6 sharps)
- For flats (♭): F, B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭ (1–6 flats)
🎵 Major to minor: go down a minor third
🎵 Minor to major: go up a minor third
🎯 Practice Ideas
🎹 Play scales daily
Link finger memory with theory knowledge.
📝 Write scales out by hand
Include both with and without key signatures. Try switching clefs.
🎧 Listen to examples
Hear the difference between major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor.
🕹️Test yourself!
✅ Summary by Grade
| Grade | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | C, G, F major; tone/semitone awareness |
| 2 | D, A, B♭ major; intro to relative minor |
| 3 | All majors/minors (up to 4 ♯/♭); harmonic and melodic forms |
| 4 | Expand to 5 sharps/flats; clefs; tonic vs. relative minor |
| 5 | All major/minor keys (6 ♯/♭); modes; functional scale awareness |
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