The major scale of C is the sequence c,d,e,f,g,a,b but it is standard practice to end the sequence with the next ‘c’; for then the sequence spans the range that is known as an ‘octave interval’ and feels complete.
The seven tone sequence of the major scale is much like the seven-day sequence we know as a week. A week spans seven days: from Monday to Sunday. The next week starts on Monday again. A perfect octave interval – often simply called an octave interval – is like the range between one Monday and the next, or the previous.
If the video below doesn’t show find the song ‘Do-re-mi’ from the musical ‘The sound of music’ (Rodgers & Hammerstein) on YouTube. It’s a brilliant musical explanation of the major scale. If the video shows, just hit play and see if you agree! Do,re,mi,fa,so(l),la,ti,do = c,d,e,f,g,a,b,c or in general ,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1 of the major scale.
Circle of fifths
The distance between 1 and 5 – the first and the fifth note of a major (!!! numbers always refer to major scales) – is known as a perfect fifth interval. Through continuously applying a perfect fifth interval, a circle containing all twelve unique notes of the Western Tonal System is formed. This circle is known as ‘the circle of fifths‘.
Loop
Important to note is that in any ‘loop’, any circular sequence, one half is ‘moving’ away from any chosen point of reference, while the other half is ‘moving’ towards it. This is the essence of music.
Music knows three basic functions:
- a point of reference (the 1 of the key and the 1,3,5 harmonically as in a C major triad or in chord symbol: C);
- moving away from the point of reference (building tension);
- and moving towards the point of reference (relieving tension).
This holds true for melodies, harmonies, and even in rhythm in which the 1 of the beat is the point of reference .
