Grammar of Music

Path

What to study before Blues scale

The minor pentatonic with one extra note, and what that note does that no other note does. Below, the concepts that come before, in the order in which one explains the next. Signed in, you see the same path minus what you already hold: your path.

  1. Notes and semitones

    The seven letter names, the accidentals that alter them, and the semitone as the system's smallest step.

    Level 0lesson Notes have names, and the names have a rule (First steps in theory)

  2. Intervals

    The distance between two notes, measured by a number taken from the letter names and a quality taken from the semitones.

    Level 1has practicelesson The distance between two notes (First steps in theory)

  3. Major scale

    Seven degrees built on a fixed sequence of tones and semitones, and the reference everything else is measured against.

    Level 1has practicelesson The major scale, from any note (First steps in theory)

  4. Key signatures

    The fixed accidentals at the start of the staff, their invariable order, and the circle of fifths that organizes them.

    Level 1lesson Reading the key in one second (First steps in theory)

  5. Minor scales

    The three forms of the minor scale — natural, harmonic, and melodic — and what each alteration solves.

    Level 2has practicelesson Three minor scales, and one problem each (Harmony for people who play)

  6. Pentatonic scales

    Five notes instead of seven, chosen so that no combination can sound wrong.

    Level 2lesson The scale where nothing is wrong (Colour and change)

  7. Blues scale

    The minor pentatonic with one extra note, and what that note does that no other note does.

    Level 3