Half Steps and Whole Steps in Scales - Dr. Ngim

A basic theory review of half and whole steps and how they can be used to write major and minor scales.

This is useful to understand the differences between the chromatic and the whole tone scale vs. major and minor scales. Chromatic and whole-tone scales are made of either only half steps (chromatic) or only whole steps (whole-tone scale). They are not as useful as major and minor scales because each note is just as important as the other.

In the major and minor scales, the patterns of whole and half steps allow the ear to identify the scale degrees (DO RE MI etc.). They create landmarks. And the half steps lead to certain degrees associated with "home base," DO and the tonic chord, I (DO MI SO).
Note that scales are normally notated using key signatures, which is different from using only accidentals,. Also, regarding the use of augmented intervals, I mentioned instruments that work with the press of a button. That comment does not apply to trombones, and the string family (violin, viola, cello, and string bass).

Chapters
0:00 Half steps (minor 2nds) and whole steps (major seconds)
1:04 Chromatic scale
1:20 Whole tone scale
2:21 Major scale (WWHWWWH)
6:13 Major scale on the keyboard
6:44 Symmetry in the major scale (WWH) W (WWH)
7:11 The relative natural minor (LA to LA)
8:22 Turning major into minor on the keyboard (parallel - same DO)
9:00 Natural minor on the keyboard
9:31 Harmonic minor on the keyboard
9:45 Melodic minor on the keyboard
10:56 Purpose of melodic minor
11:09 Augmented second in harmonic minor on the keyboard
11:34 One reason to avoid augmented intervals
12:47 When to NOT convert major to minor
14:30 Changing major to minor
14:53 Abbreviation for altering (raising or lowering) a scale degree by half step
15:10 Natural minor
17:14 Harmonic minor
18:00 The augmented second
19:35 Melodic minor