Novation Circuit Tracks – Scales

Exploring the Art of Changing Scales on the Novation Circuit Tracks Groovebox

In the world of electronic music production, the Novation Circuit Tracks stands out as a compact yet powerful groovebox, empowering musicians to craft intricate beats, melodies, and textures on the go. One of its most inspiring features is the ability to seamlessly change scales, opening up a universe of creative possibilities for producers and performers alike.

To begin this journey, simply press the Scales button (located at the top left of the device) to access and switch between scales, making it easy to experiment with a variety of musical moods and structures. Whether you’re weaving a melancholic melody in Natural Minor, driving a high-energy track with the Mixolydian mode, or experimenting with the exotic tones of the Hungarian Minor, the Circuit Tracks makes it effortless to explore a wide range of musical scales. In this article, we’ll dive into the process of switching scales on the Circuit Tracks, uncover the unique characteristics of each scale, and share tips to help you harness this feature to elevate your productions and live performances.

Let’s embark on a sonic journey and discover how the Circuit Tracks can transform your musical ideas with the simple twist of a dial!

  1. Natural Minor
  • Also known as the Aeolian mode, the natural minor scale is a seven-note scale with a melancholic or somber sound. It follows the pattern: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole (W-H-W-W-H-W-W) starting from the root note. For example, in the key of C minor, the notes would be C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C. It is commonly used in classical, folk, and popular music to evoke sad or introspective moods.
  1. Major
  • The major scale is one of the most fundamental scales in Western music, known for its bright and happy sound. It follows the pattern: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). For example, in C major, the notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. It is the basis for many melodies and harmonies in various genres, from classical to pop.
  1. Dorian
  • The Dorian mode is a minor-sounding scale with a slightly jazzy or medieval flavor. It follows the pattern: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole (W-H-W-W-W-H-W). Starting on D in the key of C major (D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C, D), it has a raised sixth degree compared to natural minor, giving it a unique, versatile sound used in jazz, rock, and folk music.
  1. Phrygian
  • The Phrygian mode has a distinctive exotic or Spanish flavor due to its flattened second degree. The pattern is: half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole (H-W-W-W-H-W-W). Starting on E in the key of C major (E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E), it is often used in flamenco, metal, and film scores to create tension or a mysterious atmosphere.
  1. Mixolydian
  • The Mixolydian mode is a major-sounding scale with a flattened seventh degree, giving it a bluesy or dominant quality. The pattern is: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole (W-W-H-W-W-H-W). Starting on G in the key of C major (G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G), it is widely used in rock, blues, and jazz, especially for improvising over dominant seventh chords.
  1. Melodic Minor
  • The melodic minor scale is a variation of the natural minor scale, with a raised sixth and seventh degree when ascending, reverting to natural minor when descending. The ascending pattern is: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, whole, half (W-H-W-W-W-W-H). For example, in A melodic minor, the notes are A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A (descending: A, G, F, E, D, C, B, A). It is used in classical music and jazz for its smooth, lyrical quality.
  1. Harmonic Minor
  • The harmonic minor scale is similar to the natural minor but has a raised seventh degree, creating a distinctive augmented second interval between the sixth and seventh notes. The pattern is: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole and a half, half (W-H-W-W-H-W+H-H). In A harmonic minor, the notes are A, B, C, D, E, F, G♯, A. This scale is common in classical, Middle Eastern music, and some metal genres due to its dramatic sound.
  1. Bebop Dorian
  • The Bebop Dorian scale is an extension of the Dorian mode, commonly used in jazz improvisation. It adds a chromatic passing note (typically between the fifth and sixth degrees) to fit the eight-note bebop style, aligning with the swing feel of 4/4 time. Based on the Dorian mode (e.g., D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C, D), it includes an extra note like A♯ to create smoother transitions. It’s popular among jazz musicians for its fluidity.
  1. Blues
  • The blues scale is a six-note scale derived from the pentatonic minor scale with an added flattened fifth (or “blue note”). The pattern is: whole, half, half, whole, half, whole (W-H-H-W-H-W). In C blues, the notes might be C, E♭, F, F♯, G, B♭, C. It is the foundation of blues, rock, and jazz, giving a soulful, expressive sound.
  1. Minor Pentatonic
  • The minor pentatonic scale is a five-note scale (penta = five) with a dark, versatile sound. The pattern is: whole, whole, half, whole, whole (W-W-H-W-W). In A minor pentatonic, the notes are A, C, D, E, G, A. Widely used in rock, blues, and pop, it’s simple yet effective for solos and riffs.
  1. Hungarian Minor
  • The Hungarian minor scale is an exotic-sounding scale with a raised fourth and raised seventh degree compared to the harmonic minor. The pattern is complex but often described as: whole, half, augmented second, half, whole, half (W-H-A2-H-W-H). In A Hungarian minor, the notes might be A, B, C, D♯, E, F, G♯, A. It’s used in Eastern European folk music and some classical compositions for its unique, tense quality.
  1. Ukrainian Dorian
  • Also known as the altered Dorian or Hutsul scale, the Ukrainian Dorian mode is similar to the Dorian mode but with a raised fourth degree. The pattern is: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole (W-H-W-W-H-W-W) with the fourth raised. Starting on D in C major with a raised G (D, E, F, G♯, A, B♭, C, D), it’s used in Eastern European and folk music, adding a distinctive flavor.
  1. Marva
  • Marva is a Hindustani classical raga scale, a pentatonic scale with a unique structure often described as having a bright yet introspective quality. Its ascending pattern might be: Re, Ga (komal), Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni (komal), Sa (e.g., C, D♭, F, G, A♭, B, C in a Western approximation). It’s used in Indian classical music and has a meditative, spiritual character.
  1. Todi
  • Todi is another Hindustani raga, known for its deep, serene, and sometimes melancholic mood. Its scale includes a flattened second, fourth, and sixth (e.g., C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, B, C in a Western approximation). It’s widely used in Indian classical music for its expressive and emotional depth.
  1. Whole Tone
  • The whole tone scale consists entirely of whole steps (W-W-W-W-W-W), creating a dreamy, ambiguous sound with no leading tone. In C, the notes are C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, C. It lacks a strong tonal center, making it popular in impressionist music (e.g., Debussy) and jazz for its ethereal quality.
  1. Chromatic
  • The chromatic scale includes all twelve pitches within an octave, moving in half steps (H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H). In C, the notes are C, C♯, D, D♯, E, F, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B, C. It’s used in various genres for chromatic passing tones, modern classical music, and improvisation, offering maximum flexibility but minimal tonal stability.