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Scales Menu  

In the Scales menu are options for displaying, defining, and practicing scales.
This menu has three commands:

Show Scale

Scales > Show Scale brings up a window that allows the user to build, experiment with, and study scale structures.

Scale structures are determined by the choices users make within two menus -- Pitchset and Key. The resulting scale is displayed in two ways:

  1. On the graphics piano keyboard, where dots indicate the pitches of the constructed scale.
  2. In the three rows of numbers and letters below the keyboard.

First Row: The selected pitches in chromatic notation. Chromatic notation assigns 0 to middle C and goes consecutively up or down in half steps. Chromatic notation can also be used to show the arrangement of whole and half steps of a major scale.

Second Row: The scale degree names for pitches within the selected scale starting with "1" on the "tonic" -- i.e., the pitch currently showing in the Key window.

Third Row:The letter names of pitches in the selected scale -- i.e., shown on the keyboard and in the number notations.

The "key signature" for major and minor keys is shown in staff notation next to the Key menu.
NOTE: See "Some Basics: Conventional Music Notation for Pitch" in Developing Musical Intuitions for more information on scales, keys, key signatures, and multiple notations.

"Play It" plays the scale built. Clicking "Done" closes this window.

Define Scale

Scales > Define Scale brings up a window that allows the user to define a scale.

Clicking on the keys of the virtual piano keyboard from low to high will enter the selection of pitches that will make up the new pitch collection or scale. To save the new scale, type an appropriate name in the text box below the keyboard, and click on "Define".

To try the new scale, open the Edit Window. In the Pitchset menu select "User Defined" and then the name of your new scale. Type consecutive numbers starting from 1 in the pitch window and click on Sing to hear your new scale. Use the numbers as scale degrees to make unique tunes.

Practice Scales

Scales > Practice Scales brings up a window that allows the user to practice any defined scale.

The window is divided into two halves. The upper half is the practice area, the lower half is for checking your answers. To practice building a scale, first select a Key in the lower half of the window. then, in the upper half, click the keys on the virtual piano keyboard that make your chosen scale. Or, in the window below the virtual keyboard, type in numbers for scale degrees or letter names to make your chosen scale. Typed letters or numbers will also show up on the corresponding piano keys. To hear your scale, click on "Play It." To check your scale, go to the lower half of the window and click on "Show It."

   
Impromptu 2.0 beta 1 © 2004 Jeanne Bamberger