The Major Scale and its Relative Minor
The Major Scale is the cornerstone of Modern Popular Music. Also known as the Ionian Mode, it is behind our Nursery Rhymes. Like many Musical Scales, it is made up of 7 notes. The Major Scale has a bright, positive and happy sound. The picture shows the G Major Scale showing the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E & F#. These pitches are formed from Root note G with the Major Scale Formula 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2 & 1. Or with intervals of Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole and Half steps. We obtain the Relative Minor from the Major Scale by locating the 6 th Scale degree. In the picture, the Relative Minor Scale of G Major is E Minor. Beginning from E, the Minor Scale has the pitches E, F#, G, A, B, C & D. The Formula for the Minor Scale is 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 & 2. Or Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole and Whole steps. The Natural Minor Scale or Aeolian Mode has a dark and sad sound in contrast with the Major Scale. Because the Major Scale and its Relative Minor Scale share the sa