Antares ATR-1a manual Scale and Chord Guides, Scales/Modes reference chart

Scale and Chord Guides

Here are some of the most commonly used scales, modes and chords, and their associated ATR-1a settings. All spellings use sharps because the ATR-1a software uses sharps to describe all accidentals (the black notes on the keyboard).

Scales/Modes reference chart

While the major scale needs no introduction, the others might need some explanation. For example, the difference between the natural and har- monic minor is only one note, the seventh scale degree. The natural minor uses a flat seventh and is typically found in most jazz and pop styles. The harmonic minor uses the raised seventh, sometimes called the ‘leading tone,’ and is used in classical music styles. The raised seventh also produces a large interval between the sixth scale degree and the seventh (an augmented second or three semitones) — this sound is featured often in Middle Eastern styles. The dorian mode is used in popular music styles because of the opportunity to use a major subdominant chord in a minor key (i.e., using an A Major chord in the key of E Minor). The phrygian mode, which features a lowered second scale degree as its most distinctive characteristic, is seldom used in popular music, though found fairly often in world music styles. The mixolydian mode is basically the major scale with a lowered seventh scale degree, and is often used in rock music.

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