Question 1

What is a hexatonic scale?

Accepted Answer

A six-note scale. The most useful one is a major scale with the 4th or the 7th removed. A major scale contains exactly one tritone, and removing either member of it — and only those two notes — leaves a six-note scale with no tritone at all.

Question 2

Why remove the 4th from a major scale?

Accepted Answer

Because the 4th is one of the two notes forming the scale's only tritone, F and B in C major. Removing either one produces the same tritone-free six-note collection. Removing any other degree leaves the tritone in place.

Question 3

Is the hexatonic scale the same as the gospel scale?

Accepted Answer

Not the major scale without its 4th. The name gospel scale usually means 1 2 b3 3 5 6, the major blues scale, which is also in the app. The major scale without its 4th (1 2 3 5 6 7) is sometimes called the Ionian/Lydian hexatonic, after the two modes it sits between.

Question 4

Can you practise a hexatonic scale in thirds?

Accepted Answer

Not really. Stepping two degrees through a six-note scale gives two major thirds, two minor thirds and two perfect fourths — the fourths appearing where the removed note left a gap. Stepping three degrees, however, gives a perfect fourth or fifth on every single degree.

Question 5

What does practising in groups of 5 mean?

Accepted Answer

You play the scale steadily and accent every fifth note. The accent drifts against the beat until it lands back on the downbeat, and the app shows how many bars that takes. In Carnatic music a phrase of five is called khanda.

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G Major (no 4)

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