20 Tetrachord Scales
Label the intervals between the notes in the blanks below the major scale. Use W for whole step and H for half step. What patterns do you see?
If do is repeated at the top of the scale, the eight notes can be broken into two groups of four notes, or tetrachords. Each tetrachord has the same interval pattern: whole step, whole step, half step. The two tetrachords are separated by a whole step.
These tetrachords can be easily played with two hands: left hand plays 5-4-3-2 on the first tetrachord. Right hand plays 2-3-4-5 on the second tetrachord. Avoid the thumb to prevent crowding and promote good alignment.
20.1 | Tetrachord Scale
C Major Tetrachord Scale on the Staff
C Major Tetrachord Scale on the Keyboard
This fingering pattern works for every major scale. To play a G major scale, begin on G with left-hand finger 5, then apply the interval pattern: whole step, whole step, half step. Begin in the right hand with finger 2 one whole step above the left hand’s final note, then apply the same interval pattern.
G Major Tetrachord Scale on the Keyboard