sävelasteikko

Sävelasteikko refers to a set of pitches arranged in ascending or descending order within an octave, used as the basis for melody and harmony in music theory and practice. It is defined by a tonic, the first degree that gives the scale its name, and seven distinct pitch classes within the octave. The specific order of intervals between consecutive notes determines the scale’s character and its available melodic and harmonic possibilities.

In Western music, several common types of sävelasteikko are distinguished. The diatonic scales include the major scale and the natural minor scale, each defined by characteristic interval patterns. The major scale follows a pattern of whole steps and half steps (for example, W-W-H-W-W-W-H). Other widely used scales include the chromatic scale (all twelve semitones within an octave), pentatonic scales (five notes per octave), and whole-tone scales (six notes spaced by whole steps). Modal scales such as dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, aeolian, and ionian use the same seven-note collection as the diatonic set but begin on different degrees, producing distinct musical moods.

Tuning and notation practices influence how scales are realized. In most Western contexts, scales are described within an octave and notated in equal temperament, where the octave is divided into twelve equal semitones; other tunings have been used historically and in other cultures.

Sävelasteikko is a foundational concept in Finnish music education and theory, guiding melody, harmony, analysis, and performance across genres from classical to folk and contemporary music.