Scales on the Piano

Say, for example, that we want to compose a new melody using the DG Piano Scales Android Application.

Using this software, we choose the "Hungarian Gypsy" scale, and transpose it into the key of A, as shown in the following figure:

The notes in this scale are:

There are several approaches to composition. One of them is to create a chord progression, and then a melody that fits this progression. We'll follow this approach in this example.

Next, we sit down and work out which chords are compatible with this scale in this key.

First, lets map the scale to the degrees:

For the first degree (chords starting in A), we can see that A-C-E (Am) is in the scale, and it is a minor chord;

also A-C-E-G (Am7), A-C-F-G (Am7+5), are on the scale.

For the second degree (chords starting in B), we can see that B-D#-Fx is in the scale, an augmented chord.

For the third degree (chords starting in C), we can see that C-E-G is in the scale, a major chord.

Continuing this way, we can deduce all of the chords compatible with this scale, as shown in the following abstract table:

The next step is to choose a chord progression for our composition.

Suppose we like the traditional I-VI-II-V-I progression. In A, the basic chords in this progression are: A-F-B-E-A.

Now, choosing from the compatible chords chart above, we can have the following alterations: Am - F7 - B7-5 - EmM7 - Am9.

These chords are all in the scale, as shown below: