Tonal Scale: A Review of Its Uses in Music and Cognitive Science
Music is an integral part of culture and has been for centuries. One of the most important aspects of music is the tonal scale, which is the set of notes used to create melodies and chords. This review explores the history, theory, and application of the tonal scale in music and cognitive science.
History
The tonal scale has been used in music for centuries. In the Western world, the tonal scale was first used in ancient Greece and later adopted by the Romans. During the Middle Ages, the tonal scale was refined and codified by music theorists such as Guido of Arezzo and Johannes de Muris. The Renaissance period saw further refinement of the tonal scale, with the development of the major-minor system and the use of scales such as the chromatic scale and the pentatonic scale.
Theory
The tonal scale is based on a system of intervals, which are the differences in pitch between two notes. The most common intervals are the major and minor second, third, sixth, and seventh. These intervals form the basis for the major and minor scales, which are the two most commonly used tonal scales. The major scale consists of seven notes, starting with a root note and then progressing up through the intervals of a major second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, major sixth, and major seventh. The minor scale is similar, but uses a minor third and minor seventh instead of the major intervals.
Application
The tonal scale is used in a variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, folk, and popular music. In classical music, the tonal scale is used to create melodies and harmonies. In jazz, the tonal scale is used to create improvisations and variations on existing melodies. In folk and popular music, the tonal scale is used to create catchy melodies and simple chord progressions.
The tonal scale is also used in cognitive science to study how humans process musical information. For example, researchers have used the tonal scale to study how humans perceive pitch and how they remember melodies. By studying the tonal scale, researchers can gain insight into how humans perceive and process music.
Conclusion
The tonal scale has been used in music for centuries and is one of the most important aspects of music. This review explored the history, theory, and application of the tonal scale in music and cognitive science. By studying the tonal scale, researchers can gain insight into how humans perceive and process music.
References
Kostka, S., Payne, D., & Almén, B. (2020). Tonal harmony. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Krumhansl, C. L., & Kessler, E. J. (1982). Tracing the dynamic changes in perceived tonal organization in a spatial representation of musical keys. Psychological Review, 89(4), 334-368.
Lerdahl, F., & Jackendoff, R. (1983). A generative theory of tonal music. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Schellenberg, E. G. (2006). Music and cognition. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 10(10), 419-422.