Oh.. I get it!

We often discuss in class how the musical modes are based on the white keys.

We derive the patterns for each scale by referring back to its original white key mode.

The black keys allow us to change Do from C to any one of the 12 notes on the keyboard.

We practice creating a Major Scale Pattern , where Do is the Hometone by applying the

C scale or Do Scale or Major Scale pattern .

Starting Note or Do

Whole Step

Whole Step

Half Step

Whole Step

Whole Step

Whole Step

Half step

WWhWWWh

21/2 3 1/2

ho ho laugh! ho ho ho laugh! ( Santa Scale)

To help understand why this is the case, check out this fantastic article by Albert Franz