Quiz #2
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The minor pentatonic scale in the key of A is displayed below. The highlighted notes are known as what?
Answer: Tonics
This quiz requires one to study the minor pentatonic scale. Not just know how to play it or what abstract definitions mean. For the answer to this quiz to be "Octaves" we would've needed to provide a position of reference because an octave is the same note played 12 notes above or below the same note. By themselves each note is not an octave. However, ALL are tonic notes by themselves. In this case we define tonic to be the note that names the scale. This is the A Minor Pentatonic Scale and every A note is indicated. The A note names the scale. Tonic.
The illustration below shows those notes that are NOT octaves relative to each other.
If one wanted to answer "root" we would've accepted that answer, but we didn't provide "root" as an answer on purpose. Tonic notes and root notes are often referred to as the same thing. Although some will rightly disagree. But that's a debate for another time.
- This quiz was derived from The Guitarist's Scale Book written by Peter Vogl. The quiz answer was verified by our friends at Mainstream Music in Blacksburg, VA.
To clear up any confusion over the definition of "tonic" Six String Planet contacted the author, Peter Vogl, to clarify the meaning based on this definition:
Tonic: The first note of a diatonic scale. The note upon which a scale or key is based; the first note of a scale or key; the keynote.
Music theory is an evolving thing and I believe is best used that way. The use of pentatonic scales is a relatively new thing in comparison to diatonic scales. The first definition would then have only included diatonic scales. Later it might be used to include other scales such as pentatonic. Jazz players quite frequently use the word key center for example instead of key to avoid strict definitions of the word key.
It seems to me everyone is correct here. My only suggestion is to loosen up with the strict definitions of terms. My books are intended to be streetsmart as well as academic. In practice I find "tonic" or "root" used very loosely to say what note things are based on. I hope this helps and thanks for using our book."
♦ Printed with the author's permission
Peter moved back to Georgia and began playing the club circuit in Atlanta as a soloist and with a multitude of bands. He also founded and managed several schools of guitar including the Guitar Learning Center. During this time Peter produced many products for Watch & Learn Inc. such as The Guitarist’s Chord Book, The Guitarist’s Scale Book, The Guitarist’s Intro to Blues, The Guitarist’s Intro to Rock, The Guitarist’s Tablature Book, and the Let’s Jam Series.
In the 90’s Peter met Jan Smith and began to play with the Jan Smith Band performing on several of her CDs including nonstop Thrill, Surrender, and Resurrection. In 2001 Peter moved into Jan Smith Studios where he continues to teach and do session work with local and national talent.
Peter has performed on stage with talents such as Michael Bolton, Cee-Lo, Kelly Price, Steve Vai, Earl Klugh, Sharon Isbon, and Sleepy Brown. In collaboration with the NARAS organization he is the band leader each year at the Heroes Award Dinner in Atlanta. Peter’s disc, So Many Notes, So Little Time, a guitar instrumental record, is available from this site as a CD or a digital download. Peter is also working on a new acoustic record featuring his nylon string playing. Stay tuned as Peter plans on continuing his recording, teaching, and publishing careers into the foreseeable future.
♦ Printed with the author's permission
Quiz Results:
Octaves: 6
Tonics: 6
Blue Notes: 0
5th Notes: 0
Quarter Notes: 0
Total votes: 12
Percentage correct: 50%
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