Lessons
Interval
Half Step, Whole StepScaleChordChord p.2Major TriadMajor Thirdminor thirdminor triad Scale
A scale is a series of notes with intervals of whole and half steps between them that begins and ends on nature's interval. The type of scale depends upon where the half steps and whole steps are positioned. For example, what we call a Lydian Scale has a whole step from the first note to the second, the second to the third and the third to the fourth. A half step is next, then two more whole steps and a final half step. This is typically depicted as below, with
designating a whole step and 
a half step.Lydian Scale:
| Click to hear the A Lydian scale. | 
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The most commonly used scale in Western music is the Ionian - or Major - scale. It is constructed like this:
Major Scale:
| Click to hear the A Major scale. |
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Notice the difference between the Lydian and Major scales.
Typically scales consist of eight notes, including nature's interval. Like an eight-legged octopus and an eight-sided octagon, the interval between the top and bottom notes of an eight-noted scale (nature's interval) is called an octave.