Algerian scale
The Algerian Scale is a scale which is frequently found in Algerian, Arab, Berber, and North African music. The frequent use of 1.5 steps(or whole-and-a-help steps) in the scale helps create a sound which is commonly associated with Middle Eastern music.
It is also defined as an eleven note scale containing two augmented seconds. This was used by Jacques Ibert in Escales (1924).[3]
Scale formula
In step notation:
- W, H, WH, H, H, WH, H
- W = Whole step
- H = Half step
- WH = Whole-and-a-half step
or in decimals:
- 1 step + 0.5 step + 1.5 step + 0.5 step + 0.5 step + 1.5 step + 0.5 step.
Note that this formula gives the first octave only. In the second octave, the third step will be 1 rather than 1.5, followed by a step of 1 rather than 0.5. This may be seen in image to the right. The lower octave shows an F# while the upper octave shows an F natural.
Sources
- ↑ Middlebrook, Ron (1984). Scales and Modes in the Beginning, p.125. ISBN 0-89898-151-4.
- ↑ Fischer, Peter (1996). Rock Guitar Secrets, p.160. Mel Bay Publications. ISBN 3-927190-62-4, ISBN 978-3-927190-62-7.
- ↑ Robert Fink, Robert Ricci (1975). The Language of Twentieth Century Music: A Dictionary of Terms, p.3. Schirmer Books. ISBN 0-02-870600-5, ISBN 978-0-02-870600-9.
External links
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