Why is it important to learn music scales?
Firstly, what are scales? They are notes grouped together by pitch or frequency. If the scale is ordered by an increase in pitch it is known as an ascending scale and the alternative is known as a descending scale. By learning scales, it is easier to say oriented when playing a song. You’ll have a far better chance of playing the correct note.
A Scale consists of notes that naturally harmonize with each other. When you play any note within a scale it won’t sound off. In this way, you can improvise or even make stuff up and it will still sound like you know exactly what you are doing. Most songs are played on a single scale. In a few rare occasions songs switch between scales, this is usually done if the scales have a note in common (as to make the transition is easier).
Typically, a scale will consist of seven notes. And many genera of songs are played on the same scale, it’s what gives the song a certain ‘sound’ or uniqueness. Sometimes you can tell the mood of a song because of the scale it’s played on. Our ears want to hear things in a certain way. If not it sounds incomplete. Tonality means that songs tend to end where they begin, not necessarily on the exact same note but maybe the same tone at least. Tension is built up until you return to the first note.
If you are interested in playing music, then scales are something you should look into. There is a plethora of information relating to scales. From scale degree to tonics the information is seemingly endless, however, everything in music theory is all related and if you learn enough eventually you’ll come around full circle.