Are there any books that discuss musical scales in detail?

[Remedial]

As far as some history and usage of various scales (minor, major, melodic minor, pentatonic etc...), modes (Aeolian, etc...) and the function or effect of the tones within each of these scales?

I remember a discussion quite long ago on a forum far far away where someone stated that he came across a book where all tone keys and chord progressions were explained. I forgot the name of it, but if anyone knows of anything similar, I would really appreciate being blessed with that knowledge.

[emumk6]

I'm actually writing a book on this to some extent. It will be called the music number system or something similar. It explains scales and chords in terms of numbers and how they work together instead of the usual confusing music theory. Send me a pm with your email and I'll keep you posted.

[Remedial]

I'm actually writing a book on this to some extent. It will be called the music number system or something similar. It explains scales and chords in terms of numbers and how they work together instead of the usual confusing music theory. Send me a pm with your email and I'll keep you posted.

Sounds great. I will definitely be hitting you up.

[disturb]

I'm actually writing a book on this to some extent. It will be called the music number system or something similar. It explains scales and chords in terms of numbers and how they work together instead of the usual confusing music theory. Send me a pm with your email and I'll keep you posted.

seems interesting

[jimvictor]

http://lydianchromaticconcept.com/main.html

[meeks]

http://lydianchromaticconcept.com/main.html

$132.00 ???

Start making your own book...you'll learn more. I'd start online, Library for scale books (I have one now, Hal Leanord). I also own the Guitar Grimori (sp) and the piano one (that contains pretty much everything the others do for guitar/bass/piano (it's the blue one)...remember, the cheaper you are; the more soft synths you'll own

[nuffink]

http://lydianchromaticconcept.com/main.html

$132.00 ???

What price my database? Every named scale the net has to offer plus all viable synthetic scales (most without a name). Including all viable octatonic, heptatonic, hexatonic and pentatonic scales, their modes and pitch class sets.

What am I bid?

[JumpingJackFlash]

I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong), that the OP was interested more in the history of the scales we use now; how we came to develop the "major scale", and especially the different forms of minor scale, how (and why) they function the way they do, and why we use one in preference to another.

Knowing the name of every possible collection of notes is not going to help you much in life. That just becomes nomenclature for the sake of it. You only really need to know the ones you are likely to encounter. Granted, that depends a lot on the sort of music you like, but outside of Indian music, knowing what the "Raga Malayamarutam" is for example is not going to be of much practical use.

[nuffink]

I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong), that the OP was interested more in the history of the scales we use now; how we came to develop the "major scale", and especially the different forms of minor scale, how (and why) they function the way they do, and why we use one in preference to another.

Knowing the name of every possible collection of notes is not going to help you much in life. That just becomes nomenclature for the sake of it. You only really need to know the ones you are likely to encounter. Granted, that depends a lot on the sort of music you like, but outside of Indian music, knowing what the "Raga Malayamarutam" is for example is not going to be of much practical use.

Oh really. So why do you keep posting the Forte number of all sorts of exotics since I posted the url for the pc class calculator?

Oh yeah, and the "Raga Malayamarutam" works a treat over a drop 5th dominant and a major triad. Still you wouldn't know or care about that would you because you don't understand modern harmony. But you don't mind if those of us who do talk about this stuff, eh?

Stop trying to ossify music in the 19th century. Get a clue and try to learn something new.

[nuffink]

You might want to check out jacks Introduction to Music Theory where you won't get scared by any of this modern (ie 20th century) stuff.

[nuffink]

the scales we use now

That's hilarious

[JumpingJackFlash]

Why the hostility nuffink?

I was not intending to trivialise "modern harmony", nor promote "classical harmony". (Of course, modern harmony does not exist in isolation, it has developed from what happened before, and there is absolutely no point in learning the advanced stuff until you understand the basics). And I didn't know there was an online pitch calculator.

You'll note I have deliberately not posted any kind of link here, to my Scales post for example, as I don't believe it would help the OP. - That's what I was saying, he doesn't want a list of names, he specifically used terms like "history", "usage", "function", and so fourth.

If I have misunderstood the OP, then my apologies, but unless he corrects me...

[nuffink]

Why the hostility nuffink?

Oh please, don't come the innocent.

[meeks]

http://lydianchromaticconcept.com/main.html

$132.00 ???

What price my database? Every named scale the net has to offer plus all viable synthetic scales (most without a name). Including all viable octatonic, heptatonic, hexatonic and pentatonic scales, their modes and pitch class sets.

What am I bid?

Your right Nuffink! and what the hell...while your at this [remedial] why don't you just take that graduate level "quantum mechanics of subatomic partical" course to help you better figure out the relationships of compressed happy atoms that move through the air making the psychological imprint of the sounds of scales that are brains interperate in the first place (but only study at sea level).

Basic questions need basic answers...not a bunch of wacked out scales the common person will never use. Go back and do what I said to do...that's your starting point. 18th, 19th, 20th century makes little difference...Music Theory is easily manipulative allowing the user to come up with his/her own ideas and rules once some basics are understood. I'm not even the expert, but it should be fun leading to productivity; if it becomes stale/life consuming, it could be 20 years until you spit something out. Go for it but have fun!

[nuffink]

edit: My apologies meeks, I misread that.