Re: More questions on scales

"Dylan" <DDawson72@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:320273a0-bdf8-4fb9-808d-8522790cc8fd@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> It seems like sclaes theory is quite im****tant for playing improv. so
> I've got a few more newbie questions.
>
> If I know the scale in C, is there a rule I can learn for changing
> keys?

Lots of ways.  Eg

Learn the order of sharps in a key signature

FCGDAEB  (up 4 steps, down 3)

and flats

BEADGCF (up 3 steps, down 4)

The last sharp is on the 7th of the major key;
The last flat is on the 4th.

> Why does the minor scale have flattened 3rd, 6th and 7th notes?

It has a minor 3rd instead of a major 3rd.  This is (principally) what
gives 
it its minor character.

The 6th and 7th are fluid in a minor key; they are "flattened" in the 
"natural minor" scale.    Standard key signatures were designed for the 
major mode; the minor mode sits fairly uneasily with them because of the 
different 6ths and 7ths.   So when you talk about "flattened 6ths and
7ths", 
you are taking as a reference point an arbitrary major scale.   This is 
commonly done, but not really a good idea because minor keys are in no
sense 
newer or less im****tant than major keys.    You may as well ask why major 
keys have sharpened 3rd 6th and 7th notes - it would be just as valid.

Dave
-- 
David Webber
Author of 'Mozart the Music Processor'
http://www.mozart.co.uk
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