A1 noun Neutral

scale

/skeɪl/

A musical scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch, going up or down in a specific pattern. It acts like a ladder of sounds that musicians use to create melodies and harmonies.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I practice my piano scale every morning before breakfast.

I practice my piano scale every morning before breakfast.

2

The student must demonstrate a perfect C major scale during the exam.

The student must demonstrate a perfect C major scale during the exam.

3

Check out this cool blues scale I learned on my guitar!

Check out this cool blues scale I learned on my guitar!

Word Family

Noun
scale
Verb
scale
Adjective
scalar
Related
scaling
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'ladder'. The Latin word for ladder is 'scala'. Just like a ladder, a musical scale helps you go up and down.

Quick Quiz

The young pianist began her lesson by playing a C major ___.

Correct!

The correct answer is: scale

Examples

1

I practice my piano scale every morning before breakfast.

everyday

I practice my piano scale every morning before breakfast.

2

The student must demonstrate a perfect C major scale during the exam.

formal

The student must demonstrate a perfect C major scale during the exam.

3

Check out this cool blues scale I learned on my guitar!

informal

Check out this cool blues scale I learned on my guitar!

4

The study of Western music theory begins with the structure of the diatonic scale.

academic

The study of Western music theory begins with the structure of the diatonic scale.

5

Our music school focuses on teaching every basic scale to new instructors.

business

Our music school focuses on teaching every basic scale to new instructors.

Word Family

Noun
scale
Verb
scale
Adjective
scalar
Related
scaling

Common Collocations

play a scale play a scale
major scale major scale
minor scale minor scale
ascending scale ascending scale
chromatic scale chromatic scale

Common Phrases

on a scale of one to ten

on a scale of one to ten

to scale up

to scale up

run the scales

run the scales

Often Confused With

scale vs scales

In the plural, 'scales' can also refer to a machine used to weigh objects or the skin of a fish.

📝

Usage Notes

When used in music, 'scale' is a countable noun. You usually 'play', 'practice', or 'sing' a scale.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'song' when they actually mean 'scale'. A scale is just a pattern of notes, while a song is a complete piece of music.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'ladder'. The Latin word for ladder is 'scala'. Just like a ladder, a musical scale helps you go up and down.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'scala', meaning ladder or staircase.

Grammar Patterns

countable noun plural: scales often used with 'major' or 'minor'
🌍

Cultural Context

In Western music, the eight-note major scale is the most common foundation for most popular songs.

Quick Quiz

The young pianist began her lesson by playing a C major ___.

Correct!

The correct answer is: scale

Related Phrases

More music words

melody

A1

A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to listen to and form a main tune. It is the part of a song that people usually hum or sing along with.

note

A1

In music, a note is a single sound with a specific pitch and length. It also refers to the written symbol on a page that tells a musician which sound to play.

sharp

A1

In music, a sharp is a symbol (#) that tells a player to play a note one half-step higher. It also refers to the specific note that has been raised.

flat

A1

In music, a flat is a symbol (♭) that tells a musician to play a note a half-step lower than usual. It also describes a sound or voice that is slightly lower than the correct musical pitch.

beat

A1

The regular pulse or rhythm in a piece of music that you can clap your hands or tap your feet to. It is the basic unit of time in a song that helps musicians stay together.

bar

A1

In music, a bar is a short section of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is shown on paper by vertical lines that divide the musical staff into equal parts.

time signature

A1

A time signature is a set of two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music. It tells the musician how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat.

instrument

A1

An object that is played to make musical sounds, such as a piano, guitar, or drum. It can also be a tool used by scientists or doctors to do very exact work.

violin

A1

A musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It is known for its high-pitched, expressive sound and is used in many types of music, especially classical and folk.

viola

A1

A viola is a musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It looks like a violin but is slightly larger and has a deeper, lower sound.

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