A musical scale is a set of notes within an octave arranged by their pitch. The ascending or descending interval relationships among the note pitches define every scale.

Musical modes are scales derived from a parent scale, in this case, the Major Scale. Each mode is a slight variation of a scale. They use all the same notes and interval patterns as the parent scale. The main difference is the root note used to build the scale. Starting a scale on a different note defines the tonal center, giving it distinct melodic characteristics, which you’ll hear in the next demonstration.

Moreover, the notes from a scale are used to form melodies and harmonies.

There are several types of scales, and each scale is arranged into various positions called modes. Below, you’ll see the different modes of the Major Scale, which we’ll explore at a later time in Guitar Super System.