Gb Major Scale Question

[vai_fan]

Hi gang,

I am in the process of studying scales and modes and have a question regarding the Gb major scale.

The scale is Gb-Ab-Bb-Cb-Db-Eb-F. Now if I were to follow the W-W-H-W-W-W-H then this doesn't make sense.

Bb-Cb is a whole step but B to C can only be a half step so wouldn't that make the scale Bb-C?

I hope I am making sense here and not causing everyone to go cross eyed. From what I learned E to F and B to C can only be half steps, therefore the Gb scale is wrong in my eyes.

Is there something I am not seeing here or is there an exception to the rule?

Thanks in advance!

Vai Fan

[Doug McMullen]

Hey ...

There's no exception. Gb major is no different from any other major scale. W W H W W W H

The mistake you made is an easy one to make first time around.

You said:

"Bb to Cb is a whole step"

Nope, it isn't. It's a half step. It's like musical sleight of hand. Remember B to C is a half step. Cb is the same as (enharmonic with) B!

Bb to B is a half step.

You run into the same thing in the sharp keys with E# and F#. E# to F# is also a half step.

Doug.

[vai_fan]

Man!

Why didn't I see that. If I would have sat and thought about it long enough I probably would have realized what was going on.

Tomorrow morning! LOL!

Thanks for the help my friend. It was much appreciated.

Vai Fan