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Grade 4: Scales & key signatures: Introduction

Scales in traditional Western music generally consist of seven notes and repeat at the octave. There are many types of scale but the ones we will be concerned with in grade 4 are the major, minor and chromatic scales.

Your scale questions may include treble and bass clef and will be either ascending or descending but not both. The scales will always be written using semibreves. The C major ascending scale with treble clef is shown below. When writing your scales make sure you use the complete length of stave provided.

Questions may provide a key signature and all you need to do is add the relevant notes. Other questions may ask you to provide the key signature. Alternatively it may say do not use key signature but add any necessary sharp or flat signs. Below you can see the A major scale descending using bass clef. As the key signature is left out you would need to add sharp or flat signs.

Scales & key signatures: Harmonic and Melodic Scales

One of the questions may ask for a minor scale. There are two types of minor, namely HARMONIC and MELODIC. You need to remember that with the harmonic scale you raise the 7th note by a semitone ascending or descending. With the melodic scale you raise the 6th and 7th note a semitone on the ascending form only. Descending melodic you must leave all notes as per key signature.

Above is the E minor harmonic scale, notice the 7th note is raised a semitone.

This is the E minor harmonic descending scale also having the 7th note raised a semitone.

Look at the two B minor melodic scales below. You can see that with the ascending form the 6th and 7th notes have been raised a semitone and on the descending form the notes remain as per key signature.

B minor melodic scale ascending, notice the 6th and 7th notes are raised a semitone.

B minor melodic descending scale, notice the notes stay as per key signature.

Grade 4: Scales & key signatures

Grade 4: Scales & key signatures

Download the following questions or write the notes on manuscript before completing.

Scales & key signatures: Question 1

Write a key signature of three flats then one octave ascending of the harmonic minor scale with that key. Begin on the tonic and remember to include any necessary sharp flat or natural signs.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 1

A key signature of three flats then one octave ascending of the harmonic minor scale with that key.

Scales & key signatures: Question 2

Put sharps or flats in front of the notes that need them to form the scale of C melodic minor.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 2

Sharps and flats in front of the notes that need them to form the scale of C melodic minor.

Scales & key signatures: Question 3

Write the ascending scale of F harmonic minor. Begin on the tonic, do not use a key signature but remember to include any necessary sharp, flat or natural signs.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 3

The ascending scale of F harmonic minor.

Scales & key signatures: Question 4

Write a key signature of four flats and the descending melodic minor scale that has this key signature. Begin on the tonic and remember to include any necessary sharp, flat or natural signs.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 4

A key signature of four flats and the descending melodic minor scale that has this key signature.

Scales & key signatures: Question 5

Write the ascending scale of C# harmonic minor. Begin on the tonic, do not use a key signature but remember to include any necessary sharp, flat or natural signs.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 5

The ascending scale of C# harmonic minor.

Scales & key signatures: Question 6

Write a key signature of five sharps and the ascending melodic minor scale that has this key signature. Begin on the tonic and remember to include any necessary sharp, flat or natural signs.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 6

A key signature of five sharps and the ascending melodic minor scale that has this key signature.

Scales & key signatures: Question 7

Add the correct clef and key signature to make the scale of B major.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 7

The correct clef and key signature to make the scale of B major.

Scales & key signatures: Question 8

Write the key signature of G# minor and then one octave of its descending harmonic minor scale. Use semibreves, begin on the tonic and remember to include any additional sharps, flats or naturals.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 8

The key signature of G# minor and then one octave of its descending harmonic minor scale.

Scales & key signatures: Question 9

Write the key signature of four flats and then one octave ascending of the melodic minor scale with that key signature. Use semibreves, begin on the tonic and remember to include any additional sharps, flats or naturals.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 9

The key signature of four flats and then one octave ascending of the melodic minor scale with that key signature.

Scales & key signatures: Question 10

Write one octave descending of the scale of F# harmonic minor. Do not use a key signature but put in all necessary sharp or flat signs. Use semibreves and begin on the tonic.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 10

One octave descending of the scale of F# harmonic minor.

Scales & key signatures: Question 11

Write the key signature of five flats and then one octave ascending of the major scale with that key signature. Use semibreves and begin on the tonic.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 11

The key signature of five flats and then one octave ascending of the major scale with that key signature.

Scales & key signatures: Question 12

Write one octave ascending of the scale of C# melodic minor. Do not use a key signature but put in all necessary sharp or flat signs. Use semibreves and begin on the tonic.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 12

One octave ascending of the scale of C# melodic minor.

Scales & key signatures: Question 13

Write the key signature of four flats and then one octave ascending of the major scale with that key signature. Use semibreves and begin on the tonic.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 13

The key signature of four flats and then one octave ascending of the major scale with that key signature.

Scales & key signatures: Question 14

Add sharps or flats to the notes that need them to form the scale of Ab major. Do not use a key signature.

Scales & key signatures: Answer 14

Sharps and flats to the notes that need them to form the scale of Ab major. Do not use key signature.

Scales & key signatures : Question 15

Write a key signature of five sharps then one octave descending of the major scale with that key. Begin on the tonic and remember to include any necessary sharp or flat signs.

Scales & key signatures : Answer 15

A key signature of five sharps then one octave descending of the major scale with that key.

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