I don’t understand the scale formulas in your articles.
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 etc
Is there an article on this site explaining how the formula is used or what it refers back to so I can understand the formula when deciphering scales.
Thanks
I thought I had an article here, but haven’t so that will go on the to-do list. In short …
Scale formulas all relate to the major scale. The major scale has 7 notes numbered from one 1 to 7, starting at the root. So C major for example has the notes C D E F G A B. C is 1, D is 2 etc.
If we flat the 3rd of C major we get C D Eb F G A B and the formula becomes 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7.
Another example… A major scale notes are:
A B C# D E F# G#
They are numbered 1 to 7 as usual.
A=1, B=2, C#=3, D=4, E=5, F#=6, G#=7.
The formula for any major scale is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
The formula for any natural minor scale is 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Therefore, if we apply the natural minor formula to the major scale we take the major scale notes and flatten the 3rd, 6th and 7th. We end up with this:
A B C D E F G
Hope that makes sense?
If not, let me know and I’ll try again 🙂
So just make the first note of the scale number one and follow the formula, flattening any notes it requires?
Thanks