1. Melodic, Harmonic, and Rhythmic Dictation
  2. Module 2: Major and Minor Scales and Scale Degrees

Module 2: Major and Minor Scales and Scale Degrees

A scale is a collection of pitches from which a composition is constructed. In tonal music, each note in a scale, or scale degree, has a unique sound that differentiates it from the other scale degrees. This unique sound is defined by the strength of its desire to resolve and the path it takes to return to the first scale degree, which is also called the tonic pitch.

a. Major Scales and Scale Degrees

Melody 2A-1A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 9
  3. The pitch pattern is in treble clef, C Major, and starts on middle C. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2A-1A

Melody 2A-2A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 9
  3. The pitch pattern is in treble clef, G Major, and starts on scale degree 3. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2A-2A

Melody 2A-3A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 12
  3. The pitch pattern is in bass clef, F Major, and starts on scale degree 5. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2A-3A

Melody 2A-4A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 9
  3. The pitch pattern is in bass clef, C Major, and starts on scale degree 3. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2A-4A

Melody 2A-5A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 7
  3. The pitch pattern is in bass clef, G Major, and starts on scale degree 6. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2A-5A

b. Minor Scales and Scale Degrees

Melody 2B-1A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 9
  3. The pitch pattern is in treble clef, A minor, and starts on scale degree 1. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2B-1A

Melody 2B-2A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 13
  3. The pitch pattern is in bass clef, D minor, and starts on scale degree 1. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2B-2A

Melody 2B-3A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 13
  3. The pitch pattern is in bass clef, E minor, and starts on scale degree 3. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2B-3A

Melody 2B-4A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 11
  3. The pitch pattern is in treble clef, D minor, and starts on scale degree 6. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2B-4A

Melody 2B-5A

  1. Listen to the following pitch pattern.
  2. Listen to the pitch pattern again. Determine the number of pitches.
    3. 12
  3. The pitch pattern is in treble clef, E minor, and starts on scale degree 5. Listen and notate the pitch pattern.
    4. Melody_2B-5A
  1. Begin by taking a rhythmic dictation of your melody (see steps above). Figure out where things happen before you try to figure out what happens.
  2. Listen for and identify the tonic. If the melody modulates, listen for indications of each tonal area (usually you can listen for dominant sounds).
  3. Identify important scale degrees along the way by writing their numbers above the notes on your rhythmic dictation. Mark chromatic notes. These may include longer notes, notes on cadences, the first note, the last note, etc. Be sure to listen to pitches as scale degrees, using your scale degree patterns to verify what you think you hear.
  4. Listen for how the “important” scale degrees (from step 3 above) are approached and left. Listen also for groups of notes that form identifiable structures such as triads, seventh chords, etc.
  5. Once you have labeled your rhythm with scale degrees, transcribe this into standard notation on a staff.
  6. Double check your answer by singing what you have written and comparing it to what you remember.
  1. Begin by taking a rhythmic dictation for the melody as described above.
  2. Listen for repeating pitches or pitches that are close to known pitches, even if (especially if) they are separated by only a few pitches. Listen for embedded chromatic lines in the melody.
  3. Listen for characteristic intervals. For example, many melodies will use a particular interval repeatedly. Try to find all instances of that interval wherever it occurs.