You Are Reading the First 6 FREE Chapters (470 pages)

5.3
Keys, Major and Minor
5.3.1
Major vs Minor - Note Order (Interval Order) Comparison

The two surviving Church modes are now called the major mode and the minor mode. Have a look at the note order for major vs minor.

Recall that if you start your scale with the note C, then you get the major scale. The note order (interval order) of the major scale is:

Major Church mode interval order, now known as the major mode or major musical scale.

Recall also that if you start your scale with the note A, then you get the natural minor scale. The note order of the minor scale is:

Minor Church mode interval order, now known as the minor mode or minor musical scale.

The seemingly trivial difference in the order of the five tones and two semitones makes a profound emotional difference when you hear the resulting music.

< Previous   Next >