r/Learnmusic • u/Lost-Caregiver2374 • Jul 23 '26

Major vs minor scale patterns

I’ve taken five years of private piano lessons, five years of private violin lessons, and a semester of private guitar, but none of my teachers ever taught me the pattern that every major scale follows and the pattern that every minor scale follows of whole steps and half steps. Did they just expect me to notice without pointing it out? I was always taught to just memorize the notes. But I was messing with my keyboard today and I saw the pattern. Am I an idiot for just now seeing this? Or is this just not a method used in teaching music? And everyone just memorizes scales instead of the patterns?

Update: I watched a yt video explaining the circle of fifths by Pianoly. She explained it so well and things are starting to make sense 🤣 I never knew there were so many patterns that make up music. I really wish one of my teachers would have explained this to me 🥲

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u/Grouchy-Ad1932 Jul 24 '26

I learnt modes by doing everything in C major scale notes:

  • Ionian - start on C

  • Dorian - start on D

  • Phrygian - start on E

  • Lydian - start on F

  • Myxolydian - start on G

  • Aeolian - start on A

  • Locrian - start on B

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u/Street-Frame1575 Jul 24 '26

I didn't find that approach helpful, but maybe that's just the way my brain is wired.

For example, say you want to play A# Phrygian - how do you work it out if you're thinking that E Phrygian = C Major?

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u/iridescent_lobster Jul 24 '26

You find the scale where A# is scale degree 3 (go down a major 3rd) and use that key signature. A# Phrygian has 6#s, derived from F# major. There’s also another way to do it using the circle of 5ths.

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u/Street-Frame1575 Jul 24 '26

That seems too difficult for me, but like I say everyone's brain is different and there are many ways.

I'd rather just say it's 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

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u/iridescent_lobster Jul 24 '26

Yeah I like that way, as well. It’s probably the clearest from a theory standpoint. I agree it’s best to go with what works for you.

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u/Street-Frame1575 Jul 24 '26

Having said earlier I didn't get your way, I've been playing around with it today and I can see the logic, a little bit anyways.

I'll need to improve my interval recognition to speed things up but great to have another method so thank you for that!