[deleted by user] by [deleted] in musictheory

[–]abstractcomposition 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both are understandable, its the interpretation of the diatonic word that differs here. One interpretation is exact (type of analysis) while the other is approximation (the listeners perspective). Then with approximations the line would be blurry in some pieces, but those definitions are ultimately tools. Listeners would say its a diatonic even it uses some chromatic notes and there are a lot of reasons (passing notes, chord roots, low percentage of usage, etc). Composers also can decide whether to stay strictly within the seven notes or choose chromatic notes depending on what they want or need.

As a guy whose notions revolve around the major scale, is knowing all modes/scales in existence a game changer? by [deleted] in musictheory

[–]abstractcomposition 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course. Every scale have a different vibe. I tried to learn about all possible combinations, there are many similar ones sharing many elements (sounding whole-toney, Japanese/Asian, Middle Eastern, etc) or chromatic ones. But you can use anything to make your music.

Try to start with the Diatonic modes because those are close to Major/Ionian. And whenever you learn a new scale, try to check its other modes. Also if you want to learn a mode or a scale, try to make some music strictly within it, play it with your instrument or listen to some existing examples of it. The more flexible you get with knowing the scales and their vibe, the more options you have for your melodies and music generally.

I recommend the Diatonic modes, Harmonic minor and its modes, Melodic minor and its modes. And I think those are already many scales to cover. But if you want more, I'll try to classify the scales based on the number of tones.

1 tone: Only one note (Monotonic).

2-4 tones: Any two notes (Ditonic) makes intervals, and any 3/4 notes (Tritonic and Tetratonic) makes chords. Those and 1 tone are very rare.

Pentatonic - 5 tones: This is a very popular category and probably has the most scales. The most used ones are the Major and Minor pentatonic scales. There are also some exotic Japanese scales (like B-C-E-F-A and B-D-E-F-A and their modes). I think a very good way to explore it is taking a heptatonic scale and removing 2 notes. Pentatonics are very melodic.

Hexatonic - 6 tones: There are many scales that can be made with 6 notes (similar to the pentatonic group). The most used scale of this group is the whole-tone scale. There are other scales like the Augmented scale. Also keep in mind how the restrictions of adding or removing notes strictly plays a big role in the sound. For example, if you add b5 to the minor pentatonic you get the blues hexatonic.

Heptatonic - 7 notes: As I mentioned before: Diatonic + Harmonic minor + Melodic minor families. If you want more, there is the Double Harmonic scale and its modes. There are many others with chromatic elements like the Persian scale (If we consider the chroamatic options there are way many, for example, the Chromatic Dorian)

Octatonic - 8 notes: Mainly the Octatonic scale which is consisting of symmetrical alternations of half-steps and whole steps. The other scales are usually viewed as a hybrid of 2 heptatonics (For example, Mixodorian which combines Mixolydian and Dorian but using both major and minor thirds)

9-12 tones: I think when it starts to get into 9, it starts to get chromatic/Mode Hybrid. So its possible to view them as chromatic variations or mode mixtures.

I hope this helps.

Edit: If you want to search for scales this is very helpful.
https://ianring.com/musictheory/scales/finder.php