Synthetic modes
Encyclopedia
A synthetic mode is a mode that cannot be derived from the major or minor scales. Whereas the seven major modes, along with harmonic and melodic minor modes are all derived from the same scale and therefore can coincide with each other (i.e. B Locrian, A Aeolian, and D Dorian all coming to be the notes of the C Major Scale), synthetic modes work differently.
to each other and are also transposition
s of each other, are created by dividing the octave into four equal parts and adding an interval of either half a step or a whole step to each resulting note. As such, they are both symmetric scale
s and are used in diminished
context, albeit in a different manner. They are also the result of superimposing two diminished seventh chord
s set either half a step or a whole step from each other.
The symmetric diminished scale, also known as "half-whole", goes as follows:
It can be applied to a dominant chord, the root of which can be equally transposed to any note of the diminished seventh chord built on the root. For example, this scale starting on C (C D D E F G A B) can be applied to either C7, A7, F7 or E7.
The inverse symmetric diminished scale, also known as "whole-half", goes as follows:
This scale is used as the chord scale for the diminished seventh chord. Naturally, as the diminished seventh chord is symmetric and therefore, sounds the same when started from either note, the same goes for the scale. For example, this scale starting on C (C D E F G A B B) can be applied to C7, which in turn is enharmonic
ally equivalent to A7, F7 or E7. Note that the diminished chord is always tense and its seventh is double flattened (7); therefore, only in diminished context can a 6 (or 13) be played simultaneously with what is the enharmonic equivalent of a 6 (voiced only a major seventh above it or a minor second below it, the latter being only valid in piano voicings, but never a minor ninth below it). It is also the only context where the major seventh is considered a tension, rather than a chord tone.
triad
s. Hexatonic scales often function as the solution to having a common scale to improvise while cycling through unusual chord progression
s or hybrid chords.
Example: the three-tonic cycle normally requires changing "key notes" to emphasize each modulation
. If we look for one scale that can fit all the chords, the first logical thing to do is to try and combine the triad notes of all tonics. Suppose we start the cycle with C major, our pitches will be: C E G, E G B, and A[G] C E[D]. These notes form the following scale:
C D E G A B (C)
Essentially, these are C augmented and B augmented triads superimposed over each other. Such structuring, as always, produces a symmetric scale
.
Symmetric diminished and inverse symmetric diminished scales
These two modes, which are mirror imageMirror image
A mirror image is a reflected duplication of an object that appears identical but reversed. As an optical effect it results from reflection off of substances such as a mirror or water. It is also a concept in geometry and can be used as a conceptualization process for 3-D structures...
to each other and are also transposition
Transposition (music)
In music transposition refers to the process, or operation, of moving a collection of notes up or down in pitch by a constant interval.For example, one might transpose an entire piece of music into another key...
s of each other, are created by dividing the octave into four equal parts and adding an interval of either half a step or a whole step to each resulting note. As such, they are both symmetric scale
Symmetric scale
In music, a symmetric scale is a music scale which equally divides the octave. The concept and term appears to have been introduced by Joseph Schillinger and further developed by Nicolas Slonimsky as part of his famous "Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns"...
s and are used in diminished
Diminished chord
A diminished triad chord or diminished chord is a triad consisting of two minor thirds above the root — if built on C, a diminished chord would have a C, an E and a G. It resembles a minor triad with a lowered fifth....
context, albeit in a different manner. They are also the result of superimposing two diminished seventh chord
Diminished seventh chord
A diminished seventh chord is a four note chord that comprises a diminished triad plus the interval of a diminished seventh above the root. Thus it is , or enharmonically , of any major scale; for example, C diminished-seventh would be , or enharmonically...
s set either half a step or a whole step from each other.
The symmetric diminished scale, also known as "half-whole", goes as follows:
- 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7
It can be applied to a dominant chord, the root of which can be equally transposed to any note of the diminished seventh chord built on the root. For example, this scale starting on C (C D D E F G A B) can be applied to either C7, A7, F7 or E7.
The inverse symmetric diminished scale, also known as "whole-half", goes as follows:
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7
This scale is used as the chord scale for the diminished seventh chord. Naturally, as the diminished seventh chord is symmetric and therefore, sounds the same when started from either note, the same goes for the scale. For example, this scale starting on C (C D E F G A B B) can be applied to C7, which in turn is enharmonic
Enharmonic
In modern musical notation and tuning, an enharmonic equivalent is a note , interval , or key signature which is equivalent to some other note, interval, or key signature, but "spelled", or named, differently...
ally equivalent to A7, F7 or E7. Note that the diminished chord is always tense and its seventh is double flattened (7); therefore, only in diminished context can a 6 (or 13) be played simultaneously with what is the enharmonic equivalent of a 6 (voiced only a major seventh above it or a minor second below it, the latter being only valid in piano voicings, but never a minor ninth below it). It is also the only context where the major seventh is considered a tension, rather than a chord tone.
Hexatonic scales
Those are six-note scales, which are usually created by superimposing two mutually exclusiveMutually exclusive
In layman's terms, two events are mutually exclusive if they cannot occur at the same time. An example is tossing a coin once, which can result in either heads or tails, but not both....
triad
Triad
Triad is a term used to describe many branches of Chinese criminal organizations based in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Macau, Taiwan, China, and also in countries with significant Chinese populations, such as Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom...
s. Hexatonic scales often function as the solution to having a common scale to improvise while cycling through unusual chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
s or hybrid chords.
Example: the three-tonic cycle normally requires changing "key notes" to emphasize each modulation
Modulation (music)
In music, modulation is most commonly the act or process of changing from one key to another. This may or may not be accompanied by a change in key signature. Modulations articulate or create the structure or form of many pieces, as well as add interest...
. If we look for one scale that can fit all the chords, the first logical thing to do is to try and combine the triad notes of all tonics. Suppose we start the cycle with C major, our pitches will be: C E G, E G B, and A[G] C E[D]. These notes form the following scale:
C D E G A B (C)
Essentially, these are C augmented and B augmented triads superimposed over each other. Such structuring, as always, produces a symmetric scale
Symmetric scale
In music, a symmetric scale is a music scale which equally divides the octave. The concept and term appears to have been introduced by Joseph Schillinger and further developed by Nicolas Slonimsky as part of his famous "Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns"...
.