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Some scale(s) on this site are very wrong! (missing notes)

Music Theory
peewee678  
24 Nov 2014 10:40 | Quote
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
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This site would be a very nice source but I have one giant problem with it: some scales are really wrong.

Take the following scale: Chromatic E scale (pattern 0, vertical patterns, standard tuning). What do we get?

The chromatic scale in which after every 4 semitones there is a note missing. Where is G#, where is C#, etc. I had another problem with another scale (sounded totally wrong but I forgot which scale it was).

So: is this a known problem? How do I know if I can trust the other scales? I don't want to learn the wrong scales...
Guitarslinger124  
24 Nov 2014 18:22 | Quote
Joined: 25 Jul 2007
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Lessons: 12
Licks: 42
Karma: 38
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When you play the "0" pattern the scale tool includes the open notes because they are part of that pattern. It cannot, however, include notes lower than the nut because they do not exist. In other words, because of the nature of the Chromatic Scale, playing the "0" pattern does not quite grasp its essence due to the fact, as you so narrowly pointed out, it cannot display notes which cannot be played on the guitar. Take a gander and pick the "1" pattern.

The scales on the site are accurate, though I cannot personally vouch for all of them, I would be hard pressed to spot an incorrect one. Point one out and I will do what I can to have it fixed.
peewee678  
25 Nov 2014 03:42 | Quote
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
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Thanks Guitarslinger.

I'm still certain the following scale is wrong:
http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php?qqq=+0&scch=E&scchnam=Chromatic&get2=Get&t=0&choice=1

It's the E-chromatic scale. I know this scale and indeed the missing notes can not be played below the nut but they *can* be played on another position: the same string.

It states (starting on low E):
E: 0123 A: 0123 D: 0123 G: 012 B: 0123 E: 0123

It should be:
E: 01234 A: 01234 D: 01234 G: 0123 B: 01234 E: 01234

I hope you get my drift. Thanks again!

(example: http://jguitar.com/scale?root=E&scale=Chromatic&fret=0&labels=none¬es=sharps)
Guitarslinger124  
25 Nov 2014 18:29 | Quote
Joined: 25 Jul 2007
United States
Lessons: 12
Licks: 42
Karma: 38
Moderator
You are suggesting playing five notes per strings, which yes is chromatic, and yes is no different from the chromatic scale, however, it is simply not the pattern normally recognized as the chromatic scale. This is why the tool suggests the pattern that it does.

Perhaps this will help:




This is all really just semantics. We know that we can play any scale in its entirety on one string. So, when we play a scale on a single string does that make it a new or rather different scale? No; the intervals at which you play the notes are quite the same.

As for the scales tool; it maintains the most recognized patterns for each scale. That being said, it is simply a line of code and therefore functions a particular way. Asking it to function in another way is like asking an apple to turn into an orange.

I hope this confusion does not set you back in your endeavors.
peewee678  
26 Nov 2014 03:19 | Quote
Joined: 24 Nov 2014
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I just posted an answer but got an error message (and this time I didn't copy it to the clipboard before posting, something I always do). Blah... Well: I'll write it again but a bit shorter:

I already expected it to be a hiatus in the software but it still is confusing esp. for beginners when notes are missing. I understand it's more difficult to write the software in a more flexible manner but still... The problem also applies to a whole bunch of other scales (e.g. E Major) starting on the (low) open E string. I'm afraid some beginning players will get a whole new idea of certain scales :-)

Don't mean to be harsh. The site overall is really great and it certainly doesn't set me back! (it did a few days ago to be honest but now I know where the culprit lies I walk around it).

Thanks again.


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