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6.7.8
Comparing Chord Scales with Melody Scales

Chord scales and melody scales have very different properties and functions. The Table 45 below compares them in detail.:

TABLE 45 Summary of Differences Between Chord Scales and Melody Scales

	Melody Scales	Chord Scales (Circular Harmonic Scales)
Scale Units	Notes (pitches).	Chords (triads, sevenths, etc.).
Number of Units in Scale	Normally 5 to 7 notes, not including repetition of the octave note.	Always 7 chords. However, each circular harmonic scale position may be occupied by one of numerous variants of the “default” chord.
Number of Scale Types	Many types, including major and minor diatonic, pentatonic, modal, Indian, Arabic, etc.	Only one type: the circular harmonic scale.
Number of Scales in Western Tonal System	24 in total: one melodic scale for each major key and one for each minor key. (Note: there are several minor scale variants: natural minor, melodic minor, harmonic minor.)	12 in total: one harmonic scale for each pair of relative keys—major and relative minor (or vice-versa).
Scale Degree Numerical Labels	Arabic numbers represent scaledegree notes. For example, the notes of the diatonic scale are represented as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1(8)	Nashville Number System: Roman numerals represent chords named for their scale-degree roots. Alphabetic letters, Arabic numbers and other symbols represent chord functions. For example: I Major triad with root of scale degree 1 IImMinor triad with root of scale degree 2 V7Dominant seventh chord with root of scale degree 5 VIIºDiminished chord with “root” of scale degree 7 (in reality, diminished chords are rootless)
Scale Degree Alphabetical Labels	Alphabetic letters represent the notes of a specific melody scale. Accidentals follow the letter-names of the notes where applicable. For example, the D major scale is: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D.	Alphabetic letters represent the chords of a specific circular harmonic scale. Accidentals follow letter-names of chords where applicable. Alphabetic letters, Arabic numbers and other symbols are then added, representing chord functions. For example, the circular harmonic scale for the key of D major and its relative minor is: D, G, C♯º, F♯7, Bm, Em, A7, D.
Normal Interval Movement Between Adjacent Scale Degrees	Melodic interval of a semitone or a tone.	Harmonic interval of a fifth progression.
Natural Direction of Movement	Ascending or descending are equally natural.	Descending only (clockwise) is natural.
Visual Representation	Vertical curve:	One-way circle: