In this article, we will delve into the technical aspect of the differences between scales classified as major and minor, to complement the information in the article LINK "How to Choose Your Scale?"
Please note - and it is important to emphasize - that in the world of Handpan and due to cultural appropriation and marketing phenomenon, scale names specific to this instrument have been invented. Although they now help navigate among the multitude of possibilities in the various combinations of Handpan scales within the player community, they do not always have historical significance or reference in the world of music.
Major scales (Sabye / Ashakiran / Oxalistas / YshaSavita)
In general, major scales are one of the fundamental elements of Western music. They are characterized by a specific sequence of whole steps (A to C) and half steps (B flat to C sharp), creating a bright and joyful sound.
A major scale follows a particular sequence of whole and half steps, which is as follows: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. This sequence creates a harmonic progression that is characteristic of major scales.
There are two main types of major scales, with sharps and with flats. Below are two tables associated with this information, illustrating it according to the chosen starting note:
Scale | Number of flats | Altered Notes |
F major | 1 flat | B |
Bâ™Â major | 2 flats | B, E |
Eâ™Â major | 3 flats | B, E, A |
Aâ™Â major | 4 flats | B, E, A, D |
Dâ™Â major | 5 flats | B, E, A, D, G |
Gâ™Â major | 6 flats | B, E, A, D, G, C |
Câ™Â major | 7 flats | B, E, A, D, G, C, F |
Scale | Number of sharps | Altered Notes |
C major | 0 sharp | / |
G major | 1 sharp | F |
D major | 2 sharps | F, C |
A major | 3 sharps | F, C, G |
Emajor | 4 sharps | F, C, G, D |
B major | 5 sharps | F, C, G, D, A |
F# major | 6 sharps | F, C, G, D, A, E |
C# major | 7 sharps | F, C, G, D, A, E, B |
To illustrate all of this, let's take the example of the D Major scale on the Handpan.
When we talk about Handpan scales, as we have seen in the LINK article, the number of notes needs to be considered. Sometimes we may not have the complete scale, limiting ourselves to 9 notes, but it will be organized to match the qualities of a Handpan (such as respecting the physical space between the notes, for example).
Here is the scale of a 9-note Handpan by Sabye: D3 / G3 A3 B3 C#4 D4 E4 F#4 A4.
Referring to the table above, we can see that there are indeed 2 sharps, which are the notes C# and F#.
If we wish to have the complete and extended D Major scale, it will be described as follows:
D3 / E3 F#3 G3 A3 B3 C#4 D4 E4 F#4 G4 A4 etc.. we can see that we respect the process tone, tone, half-tone, tone, tone, tone, half-tone.
We can see that this way, we maintain the sequence of whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.
So why this setup on a Handpan?
To respect the physical limits of the instrument and, as mentioned above, to maintain harmony by preserving the space between the notes, we will skip the first 2 notes following the Ding on the Handpan - namely E3 and F#3.
The notes below are generally indicated in parentheses by any seasoned player.
The note G4 will also be located below to optimize the harmony between the frequencies and avoid unwanted activations with the F#4.
Explanation -> therefore, in the 9 notes, we decide to include the A4 rather than the G4 because an F#4 and a G4, located side by side, would have a very high chance of mutually activating, as they are only a half-step apart and have too little physical distance on the instrument.
Thus, a 12-note D Major Sabye Handpan would be manufactured as follows:
D3 / (E3) (F#3) G3 A3 B3 C#4 D4 E4 F#4 (G4) A4
Major scales have a bright, positive sound, often associated with joy. The sequence of whole and half steps contributes to this sensation by creating a pleasant musical progression.
Minor scales (Aeolian / Kurd / Amara / Pygmy)
Minor scales generally have a darker and more melancholic sound compared to major scales. Here are the main characteristics of a minor scale:
Whole and half-step structure: The minor scale follows a specific sequence of intervals between notes, which is whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.
However, a nuanced aspect is that the scale's structure also depends, as in major scales, on the chosen starting note to build it, as I indicate below:
Scale | Number of flats | Altered notes |
D minor | 1 flat | B |
G minor | 2 flats | B, E |
C minor | 3 flats | B, E, A |
F minor | 4 flats | B, E, A, D |
Bâ™Â minor | 5 flats | B, E, A, D, G |
E minor | 6 flats | B, E, A, D, G, C |
Aâ™Â minor | 7 flats | B, E, A, D, G, C, F |
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Scale | Number of sharps | Altered notes |
A minor | 0 sharps | / |
E minor | 1 sharps | F |
B minor | 2 sharps | F, C |
F# minor | 3 sharps | F, C, G |
C# minor | 4 sharps | F, C, G, D |
G# minor | 5 sharps | F, C, G, D, A |
D# minor | 6 sharps | F, C, G, D, A, E |
A# minor | 7 sharps | F, C, G, D, A, E, B |
Sound characteristics: Minor scales have a darker, more emotional, and melancholic sound compared to major scales.
The sequence of intervals creates particular harmonic tensions, contributing to this distinct atmosphere.
Conclusion :
Understanding scales is not an easy task; in fact, it's even more complex than the information I've tried to convey to you through this article.
I won't be able to give you a full music theory lesson here. However, I hope this has shed some light on your quest for a better understanding of scales in music, especially on the Handpan!
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