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4.1.2Thought Experiment Using a Cello Fingerboard
Imagine you have a cello. (Maybe you do have a cello.) As you know, the fingerboard of a cello has no frets. Which makes the cello an ideal instrument for this thought experiment.
- Take a piece of imaginary white chalk and make some horizontal marks at random places along the fingerboard of your imaginary cello. Say, oh, maybe eight chalk marks.
- Remove the excess imaginary chalk from your fingers by wiping your hands on your black pants or dark skirt. Nobody will be able to see the chalk marks on your clothing because, even though your clothing is real, the chalk is imaginary
- Now, pick a string, any string. Press your finger on the string over the chalk mark nearest the narrow end of the fingerboard (the end nearest the tuning pegs). Pluck (or bow) that string. Then move to the next chalk mark. Pluck the string. Then the next chalk mark, and so on, until you’ve played all eight notes.
Technically, that’s a scale.
Good thing that was a thought experiment. Because the scale you created and played on your imaginary cello sucks. Your brain just does not recognize it as a meaningful scale. How come?