Understanding Scales and Changes in Gmail

 It's been awhile since I've sent out my monthly newsletter. I was just getting around to doing that when I received a notice and learned about changes in Gmail. Have you heard about it? I thought I'd share some tips with you here on my blog and I'll also send it out later on in my newsletter as well.

If you use Gmail, you may have noticed that they have set up automated filters and is sorting your email into them.

These changes will happen automatically (without your permission), and will most likely mis-filter your emails, including my emails to you. That means that you won't see any email from me in your main inbox UNLESS you adjust your Gmail settings!

Here is a  short video tutorial to show you a two-second fix that will enable you to make sure my future emails (AND other content you've subscribed to) will go to your primary inbox.

If you'd rather follow written instructions instead, here they are. 

Do this now (it takes 2 minutes): 

1. Open your Gmail and notice the new "tabbing" setup. 
2. Click the "Promotions" tab. 
3. Look for any emails from me and/or other newsletters you subscribe to. If you see one, drag it to the "Primary" folder. 
4. A question will pop up asking if you want this done automatically in the future. Click YES. 

If you want to completely remove this new filtering system so everything comes into your inbox the way it did before, do this:

1. Go to the Settings box in the upper right hand corner of your inbox and choose "Settings." 
2. Click on the "Inbox" tab, then unselect all categories except "Primary." 

Major Scales

 If you get how to do all that... then by now, you probably understand how important major scales are. If you do not know them, you can take a look at these.

C Major
C  D  E  F G  A  B  C
1   2  3  4  5  6   7  8

D Major
D  E  F#  G  A  B  C#  D

E Major
E  F#  G#  A  B  C#  D#  E

F Major
F  G  A  Bb  C  D  E  F

G Major
G  A  B  C  D  E  F#  G

A Major
A  B  C#  D  E  F#  G#  A

B Major
B  C#  D#  E  F#  G#  A#  B

Db Major
Db  Eb  F  Gb  Ab  Bb  C  Db

Eb Major
Eb  F  G  Ab  Bb  C  Db

Gb Major
Gb  Ab  Bb  Cb  Db  Eb  F  Gb

Ab Major
Ab  Bb  C  Db  Eb  F  G  Ab

Bb Major
Bb  C  D  Eb  F  G  A  Bb

* The numbers beneath the scale letter names indicate the tone number or scale degree for each note of the major scale. Each major key has a "1-tone"... a "2"... a "3" and so on. What you want to improve upon is recognizing when melodies and chords are moving from one scale degree (one chord of the scale) to another.

Here are additional posts regarding scales. Hope they help!

1. Altered Pentatonic Scales and Patterns
2. Four Tips on Playing Scales
3. Friday Freebie: Piano Scales

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"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Major Scale Patterns

Music is full of patterns. If you're a beginner to the piano, here is the pattern or recipe, if you will, used to create Major Scales. Remember this saying and you're on your way to playing Major Scales:

"A half step is from KEY TO KEY with NO keys in between,
A whole step always SKIPS a key with one key in between"

First, you have the white keys:

C major
D major
E major
F major
G major
A major
B major

Then you have the black keys called "sharps" or "flats":

C Sharp or D flat
D Sharp or E flat
F Sharp or G flat
G Sharp or A flat
A Sharp or B flat

Whole steps and half steps describe distance in music. That is, the distance in notes from one key to another.
So, a "whole" step always skips a key. A "half" step never skips a key.

1 Whole Step = 2 keys
1 Half Step = 1 key

C to D = 1 whole step
C to E = 2 whole steps

* The Major Scale pattern is as follow:

w - w - h - w - w - w - h

Whole Step = "w" and Half Step = "h"

* In major scales, each note is played separately.

In C major:

1. The starting note is C
2. One whole step up is D (w)
3. Another whole step up is E (w)
4. One half step up is F (h)
5. One whole step up is G (w)
6. Another whole step up is A (w)
7. Another whole step up is B (w)
8. One half step up is C (h)

More Examples:

D major:

1) Starting note = D
2) 1 whole step up = E
3) 1 whole step up = F#
4) 1 half step up = G
5) 1 whole step up = A
6) 1 whole step up = B
7) 1 whole step up = C#
8) 1 half step up = D

E major:

1) Starting note = E
2) 1 whole step up = F#
3) 1 whole step up = G#
4) 1 half step up = A
5) 1 whole step up = B
6) 1 whole step up = C#
7) 1 whole step up = D#
8) 1 half step up = E

F major:

1) Starting note = F
2) 1 whole step up = G
3) 1 whole step up = A
4) 1 half step up = Bb
5) 1 whole step up = C
6) 1 whole step up = D
7) 1 whole step up = E
8) 1 half step up = F

G major:

1) Starting note = G
2) 1 whole step up = A
3) 1 whole step up = B
4) 1 half step up = C
5) 1 whole step up = D
6) 1 whole step up = E
7) 1 whole step up = F#
8) 1 half step up = G

A major:

1) Starting note = A
2) 1 whole step up = B
3) 1 whole step up = C#
4) 1 half step up = D
5) 1 whole step up = E
6) 1 whole step up = F#
7) 1 whole step up = G#
8) 1 half step up = A

There are 12 major scales; one for every major key on the piano. Now you can use the above formula, pattern or recipe for playing major scales!


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Learn Improv With Modes

MODAL MUSIC began in ancient Greece. Influence by the Greeks, the early church used a system of MODES- almost all music written before the 1500's was based on the various modes. Many well-known folk songs are modal. In recent years modal music has become more and more popular, and modern composers use modal melodies and harmonies in their compositions.

Any scale of 8 NEIGHBORING WHITE KEYS is a MODAL SCALE.

Each Greek mode was named after an ancient group of people whose musical system it was supposed to represent. In our modern system, we still use the IONIAN MODE, which we call the MAJOR MODE.

The scale using 8 white keys, beginning and ending on C, which we call the C MAJOR SCALE, may also be called the IONIAN SCALE. It is in the IONIAN MODE.

The scale using 8 white keys, beginning and ending on D, is called the DORIAN SCALE. It is in the DORIAN MODE.

The scale using 8 white keys beginning and ending on E, is called the PHRYGIAN SCALE. It is in the PHRYGIAN MODE.

The scale using 8 white keys, beginning and ending on F, is called the LYDIAN SCALE. It is in the LYDIAN MODE.

The scale using 8 white keys, beginning and ending on G, is called the MIXOLYDIAN SCALE. It is in the MIXOLYDIAN MODE.

The scale using 8 white keys, beginning and ending on A, is called the AEOLIAN SCALE. It is in the AEOLIAN MODE.

The scale using 8 white keys, beginning and ending on B, is called the LOCRIAN SCALE. It is in the LOCRIAN MODE. the LOCRIAN MODE was not used in ancient times and is only occasionally used by modern composers. The IONIAN, DORIAN, PHRYGIAN, LYDIAN, MIXOLYDIAN, and AEOLIAN modes are called AUTHENTIC MODES. The LOCRIAN is not an authentic mode.

Each mode, however, may be transposed to begin on any KEY.
AN EASY WAY TO KNOW EACH MODE:

THE IONIAN MODE is very easy:
It's the same as the Major scale.
THE DORIAN MODE:
Play any natural minor scale with the 6th tone raised one half-step. Dorian is playing from the 2nd-to-the-2nd. It is a minor sounding mode that works well over minor chords.
THE PHRYGIAN MODE:
Play any natural minor scale with the 2nd tone lowered one half-step. Phrygian is playing from the 3rd-to-the-
3rd. This mode gives you a "Spanish" sound.
THE LYDIAN MODE:
Play any major scale with the 4th tone raised one half-step.Lydian is playing from the 4th-to-the-4th. This
mode has a Major sound that is "uplifting" due to the
sharped fourth.
THE MIXOLYDIAN MODE:
Play any major scale with the 7th tone lowered one half-step. Mixolydian is playing from the 5th-to-the-5th.
This mode is often used for a dominant seventh chords due
to the flattened seventh.
THE AEOLIAN MODE:
Play any natural minor scale with no changes. Aeolian is playing from the 6th-to-the-6th. This mode is the same as
the Natural minor scale. It is a minor sounding mode.
THE LOCRIAN MODE:
Play any natural minor scale with the 2nd and 5th tones lowered one half-step. Locrian is playing from the 7th-to-the-7th. It is a minor sounding mode that is often
used with diminished sounding chords.

Helpful Tip: D to D is D Dorian or "the Dorian mode in the key of C." It is not C Dorian. It is Dorian in the Key of C. If we want to know what C Dorian is, we need to ask ourselves, "C is the second scale degree of what Major scale? B flat, of course! Have fun playing and improvising with modes, creating unique sounds quickly!




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Jazz Scale Changes

I have found a fabulous resource called Cutting The Changes: Jazz Improvisation via Key Centers by Antonio J. Garcia. It is perfect for the beginner to intermediate player on improvising. The Concepts are simple with detailed explanations. This book is an invaluable tool for singers and all beginning improvisors.

Here's what you'll get in this educational resource:

* A jazz study on major scale development.
* A book with sheet music for improvisors struggling with
standard tunes. (The Shadow of Your Smile, It Ain't
Necessarily So, I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face)
* A Play-Along CD with superb rhythm section
accompaniment.
* a CD-ROM packed with theory instruction, listening
examples, a discography for musicians who want to learn
more, and printable accompaniment scores and parts for
optional live rhythm section.

So, now that I've given you a breakdown, please take a look:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/storesmp_fastresults.html?cart=34262262471819332

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?item=16660973&cart=34262262471819332&cm_re=289.1.4-_-Results+Item-_-Title/"
Oh, so now you see five choices, oh my! Well ,here's the deal on why I recommend the C Edition. The C edition means that it is for non-transposing C instruments like the piano, guitar, bass, etc..

This fabulous book cuts the chord symbols out of soloing! You improvise over standard tunes using Major Scales! No Dorian, Mixolydian Scales are required. This method is ideal for classroom, private or self instruction, as well as music education. Get your copy today!



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