6 Scale Testing and Activities

In this section of the chapter, you will find interactive questions testing your ability to hear and correctly identify the different types of scales. When listening to these scales, there are certain landmarks for which you should listen. The first landmark is the third note. If the third note sounds like it belongs to a major scale (meaning it’s a major 3rd above the root), you can then identify the scale as a major scale. If the third note sounds like it belongs to a minor scale (a minor 3rd above the root), we then need to wait for the sixth note to be heard to identify the scale. If the sixth note sounds like it belongs in a major scale (a major 6th above the root), then we can identify the scale as jazz minor, as that is the only scale in this course with a minor 3rd and major 6th. The 6th can be identified by comparing it to the root (1st note of the scale), or by comparing it to 5th, which is heard right before the 6th. If the 6th is a whole-tone above the 5th, it’s major and the scale is jazz minor. If it is a semitone above the 5th, the 6th is minor and we then need to listen to the seventh note to determine if the scale is natural minor or harmonic minor. Natural minor has a lowered 7th, whereas harmonic minor has the “normal” 7th when compared to major. The first activity below focuses just on natural minor and harmonic minor, as these two are the closest and therefore the hardest to hear.  

Identify Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor Scales (10 Questions)

Identify Major, Natural Minor, and Harmonic Minor Scales (10 Questions)

Identify Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, and Jazz Minor Scales (10 Questions)