musical scale

A musical scale is a structured set of notes arranged in a specific order, serving as the foundation for melodies and harmonies. Think of it as a ladder of pitches that follow a particular sequence of steps, defined by whole and half intervals. For example, the major scale, often associated with happy sounds, follows a pattern of whole and half steps: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. These scales create a sense of tonality and coherence, guiding composers and performers in creating music that feels organized and expressive.