The major scale
Historically most music, in a wide range of genres, has been composed using a major scale. In the key of C, that means the following notes:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B |
Before we just assume that major keys predominate, fashions change. My recent analysis of the global top 20 tracks showed 60% to be in a minor key. This has a lot to do with the current predominance of hip-hop music that really works well with a minor feel. When you leave that genre, you’re back to major keys most of the time.
We don’t really need to spend any time on major scales because Labwerks is supposed to be experimental but, if you’d like to get a clearer idea of what a major scale sounds like, try listening to some songs which run up and down the scales really obviously, like A Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins, My Mind’s Eye by The Small Faces, or Do-Re-Me by Julie Andrews.
And here’s a well-known Christmas carol that’s about as major as you can get – until halfway through. Have a listen …
Instruments on Major Minor Ding Dong:
Guitar: String Studio VS-3 from AAS
Bass: VB-Royal from ujam
Drums: Studio Drummer from Native Instruments
Synths: Massive X from Native Instruments