Finding The BEST Musical Scale 

Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: go.nebula.tv/12tone Check out Polyphonic's Nebula Class: nebula.tv/how-to-listen-like-... Some additional thoughts/corrections: 1) If I was better at my job I might have scripted the bracket to create as many interesting matchups as possible, but I promise this was actually entirely random. I didn't even generate the order of battlegrounds until I'd already written all my scale descriptions, to avoid biasing those. The one thing I did was that, instead of just picking independently random battlefields, I made a list with three of each of them and then randomized that across the 15 rounds, so that each one would show up the same number of times. 2) If I didn't include your favorite scale, sorry! Turns out it's bad! 3) Actually, I should note that I limited myself to scales that could be played on a standard-tuning piano, for simplicity's sake and also to avoid delving into musical cultures I wasn't comfortable presenting myself as an expert on. This is a limitation, and there's a couple things I would've loved to have included otherwise, but it's a fairly common limitation within Western music, and I hope the context of the video makes it clear my analysis isn't meant to apply outside that scope. (Heck, it barely applies within that scope. Why did I make this?) 4) I'm playing pretty fast and loose with enharmonics on the scale degrees here, because a lot of these aren't really best understood as variations on the framework of major. When that's relevant, I did try to stick to the correct degrees (see the b4 in Altered, for instance) but on something like Whole Tone, whether the 5th note is a #5 or a b6 isn't really the point and I went for whichever was easier. (Which led to some incongruities, since adding sharps is usually easier in notation, but adding flats is more conventional when describing scale degrees, so I occasionally labeled something like G# as a b2. Notation is fake anyway.) 5) You may have noticed that sometimes I call the perfect 4th consonant and sometimes I call it dissonant. That's because I'm using two different dissonance models: Acoustically, it's very consonant, creating one of the simplest frequency ratios with the root. Contextually, though, it can be pretty dissonant in scales containing major 3rds, because the 3rd is such a strong tonal note, and it rubs really hard against the 4th. So that's what that's about. 6) The thing I said about the Prometheus scale being usable in any order also applies to Messiaen 3, but that scale has so many notes that I think the distinction is less relevant. Anyway, in case it wasn't clear, what I was trying to get at there is that Scriabin didn't really treat it like it had a fixed root, which makes it hard to consider it a scale. 7) Yes, someone did actually nominate the Elephant Scale, but also yes, I was gonna include it even if no one did. Nepotism, baby! 8) Technically the Enigmatic Scale is slightly different ascending and descending: Going down it's supposed to have a natural 4, not a #4. I didn't wanna deal with that here, but I get into it in my video about it. 9) Some folks refer to the two versions of the Diminished scale as Octatonic Dominant and Octatonic Diminished, and the one I used is Octatonic Dominant, so if you're used to only thinking of the whole-half variation as a "Diminished" scale, I apologize for confusing you. 10) The reason I said that the major V in a minor key "could be interpreted as implying a new scale" instead of just saying it created one is that the Harmonic Minor framework is largely an ahistorical imposition by later generations of musicians. To the best of my understanding, that term didn't really enter the vernacular until the mid-to-late 19th century: Prior to that, using a major V chord was just kinda what you did, without much regard for the technicality of which scale you were supposed to be using, so composers would largely have considered it a perfectly natural part of the minor scale, just not one that influenced their melodic choices. The idea that it was a separate scale with a separate structure came later. 11) You actually can get something of a directional harmony out of Double Harmonic Major by using the dominant 7th chord built on the b2, the so-called Tritone Substitution, but I just thought it was funny that it breaks the actual V chord. 12) Maybe should've included something like "directionality" to give dominant scales an edge, since they're pretty popular, but honestly I think spiciness wound up playing basically that role anyway. Dominant scales are often where we put our spiciest sounds, and no dominant scales lost to non-dominant scales in any of the spiciness rounds. They just have a hard time being chill or poignant, and that wound up being most of their downfalls. (Also Dorian managed to dodge the spiciness and spookiness criteria entirely, either of which would've gone extremely poorly for it.) 13) Having gone through this, I'm not sure there was actually much difference between the spiciness and spookiness categories, I just wanted to balance out the two more grounded-centric criteria of chillness and poignance with a couple that rewarded more unusual scales. I was originally gonna go with etherealness, but spookiness sounded more fun and I didn't think too hard about it. Shockingly, my methodology here may not stand up to academic scrutiny.

Dragon scale armor would be your best defensive option in this battle.

I absolutely admire the power move of putting your own scale in the video

I no longer remember where I first heard this quote, but it's an important part of my personal philosophy: The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. I always enjoy 12 Tone, so if you were worried about wasting my time, don't. :) You might consider doing something like this again around March Madness time. Switch up the players, switch up the criteria, it's got some potential. Once a year sounds about right for frequency.

I think Dorian is basically the most wellrounded scale. It has a lot of things going for it. The thing is a bunch of other scales I enjoy a lot more in specific scenarios. Every scale is better at one thing than something else. I for example enjoy Phrygian flat4 a ton but it is basically impossible for it to sound happy/calm. Another one is Lydian flat7 that I enjoy a lot too but it is also really niche. Dorian is a perfect mix of minor and major and the beautiful symmetrical shape means it is one of the mest wellrounded scales IMO.

A sliding scale of scale quality.

I'm so happy for my little bean Dorian yay 💙💙💙

Glad you agree Phrygian Dominant is a top 16 scale at least. Scales with augmented seconds rule, especially in the lower notes.

Anyone else hear the guy from that clip that Adam Neeley uses saying “Nostalgia” at 20:53?

I was surprised Dorian doesn’t get full points for poignance, I always thought the raised 6th gives it a hint of major that adds that wistfulness you talked about. Think Mad World

As you mentioned, the first tetrachord of the double harmonic major matches the second tetrachord. Another interesting point about its structure is that it's a palindrome as well, which you mentioned about dorian but not the double harmonic major. Also, I have noticed that the notes of the double harmonic major are close to the pitches used in the the raga that is usually taught first to students in karnatic music (Mayamalavagowla); but I hadn't realized that this set of notes had a name in Western music as well.

Thank you for solving what microtonalists have been searching for a while now!! now we finally know truly what is... The Miracle Scale

I was so close to changing my name to the enigmatic scale

This was super fun and interesting. But the results are biased by the comparisons of only using one quality per comparison. A scale can be very weak in a particular quality, but potentially outshine the other scale in every way. But this is already a huge undertaking and no one can blame you for shortening it. It doesn't take away anything for me because competition in art means nothing to me. So regardless thanks!🥰 I loved the video!

This might be your best video yet, gotta love the variety in the analysis!

I really feel like the Blues Scale should include the major and minor thirds. Major/Minor interactions feel like a key aspect of blues to me, finding the darkness in the light and hope in the hopeless. But that's just arguing with history, and I think unless I get a time machine, I'm going to lose that fight. Also, I think a lot of the major/minor clash comes from a major chord progression and a minor melody, which probably shouldn't be considered one scale (or key in this case)

Not me crying in the corner over the harmonics losing in the 1st round. Guess i have to go write a poignant piece in Phyrgian Dominant now...😂

Your videos rule, I don’t care what you’re doing bc I’m not actually a musician but your method of communicating is awesome and very chill.

While the diminished scale has those 2 dim7 chords stacked on top of each other, you forgot a key thing about the double harmonic major scale. It's two major 7th chords on top of each other. Gmaj7 and Abmaj7. As you said it has that "ruined" V chord, but flattening the fifth isn't that huge of a problem, especially when it also has a natural tritone sub. It should have won that first battle no doubt. Unsure if it would have won against dorian in structure due to some bias from the judge, although I admit your arguments where valid, and I feel it might have won the last one against the enigmatic scale. The flat 6 makes it emotional and the augmented second to the sharp 7th does make it seem like its longing for something, so I think it could have won it all if it won against dorian. (I might be biased as it is my favorite scale) Anyway this was a really fun video, and even introduced me to some scales that I'll have to understand better. I'll definitely be watching your videos on the stranger ones.

Tbh I’d have to disagree with you on the Dorian vs Phrygian dominant one because a scale with a flat 6 and a major third is a lot more poignant than a scale with a natural 6 and a minor 3rd. Flat 6 resolving to 5 is so beautiful, but imo it’s especially poignant when the third of the scale is major because it blends the “happy” major 3rd with the sadness of the b6, adding a punch of bittersweetness to the resolution that just hits you emotionally. Plus, Phrygian dominant has the awesome iv-I progression.

Listing to the podcast! It’s Awesome! It makes me happy to hear this musical convo!

Lydian.

My favorites are 1. Dorian 2. Phrygionian (A microtonal scale) 3. Double harmonic major They are all symmetric scales so they mirror to themselves and they have a property I don't know how to explain.

This is genuinely the funniest music related video on RU-vid to me, I have not cackled like this at music theory in a hot minute🤣🤣🤣🤣 Major winning it's round 2 for chillness, then getting knocked out in round 3 for spookiness is comedy gold😂😂😂

This video is a great essay on the topic of bias. The unreliable narrator was an excellent touch!

Wow, I’m so glad someone on this site finally that the blues scale isn’t really a scale. There’s minor blues and major blues and they’re not the same, and the way blue notes are used even defy the logic of scales.

A simple diatonic major scale is actually quite fascinating if you consider it in the light of ancient Greek tetrachords. One way to look at it would be as a combination of two similar spiral-shaped tetrachords, CDEF and GABC where the note relations would be 9:8 10:9 4:3 or in cents approximately 204 182 112. There you can see the descending spiral form that is of course different from the well-known 221 or whole whole half step formula. In any case if you observe the Ionic column you can see it has the double spiral shape as well.

This was a fun video, if you do more of these chill whimsical videos I'd definitely watch them

A few weeks ago I went down a Scriabin rabbit hole, mostly thanks to Jay Beard’s excellent videos. I was expecting the Prometheus scale (aka Mystic chord) to be fascinating, which it is, but was also expecting it to be dark and dissonant, which doesn’t suit the sort of ambient music I’m mostly interested in making. I’ve been surprised by how much potential it has for pleasant if slightly ambiguous harmonies, and unusual but pleasantly wistful melodies. So much so that I’ve actually been able to set up generative ambient pieces using it that I can leave running for hours and chill out to, so the Prometheus scale can actually be remarkably chill.

I would have chosen, of all things, the Ionoptygic scale (Zeitler's name for Ring's scale 3563) instead of, say, Prometheus or the whole-tone scale (or another "whatever else" scale.) I think it's more like Phrygian than anything, actually.

I kind of wonder how tournaments for each of the categories would go. Dorian might be an all rounder, but the Jack of all stats is seldom truly exceptional at any one thing.

I just love listening to you nerding out on music.

Blackwood decatonic is the BEST scale. Chillness: it has 5 major chords and 5 minor chords (and it's a superset of equipentatonic, a very chill scale) Spiciness: the small steps of the scale are only 80% of a semitone so they really rub (and is microtonal) Spookiness: unfamiliar scale structure and same reasons as spiciness Structure: it has 5 FOLD LIMITED TRANSPOSITION! Only 2 modes! Poignancy: 1 of the 2 modes sounds very minory, and the fifths are out of tune (sadly, you can't play it on a normal instrument, it uses 15 tone equal temperament) You can't argue with this.

This is the silliest and most educational video ok scales. I loved it so much

It's genuinely surprising to me that the bracket was random - I paused when you showed it and was genuinely impressed at how well it spread out the most famous and popular scales to avoid overstacking any one matchup. Also, I forgot about the Elephant Scale! I should write something in that.

As a music theory nerd, this warmed up my cold, dead heart. Bravo, 12Tone! Well done! I happen to be writing my next song which prominently uses Dorian #4. It's gonna be a darker, moodier piece orchestrated with a combo of classical and electronic textures.

Phrygian dominant is one of my favourite scales for writing poingnant stuff haha... so interesting how scales can be heard in such different ways in different contexts

This is what I've been waiting forrr

The scales I use most are: D Minor, E Minor, and C Phrygian dominant. ( I use both the major third and the minor third when I play in Phrygian )

As an Irish Trad player, I couldn't be happier.

„the word as law“ by neurosis taught me a lot about (minor) scales, all sorts of them, in a way that i can enjoy it and comprehend it, by listening to dave edwardsons basslines. the guy is a genius and plays fantastic basslines. can‘t give him enough credit.

This was a lot of fun, thank you!!!!!

I loved this video, thank you :)

Dorian was my prediction for exactly all the reasons you outlined, only scale I thought might give it a run for its money would be phrygian dom so it was fitting to see them get it over with in the first round, fun video idea!

All the scales

The Jeppesen D Dorian cantus firmus is one of my favorites to write counterpoint against, so I approve of the totally scientific results here.

Using Patsy Cline's Crazy to familiarise myself with a few of the hidden notes on alto saxophone. Any chance you could do an analysis of the piece? I play by ear but some of the theory from your videos sinks in. Best wishes dude.

Finally some classic 12tone, it's been a while.

blackwood or antidiaitonic are pretty cool

This was fun. I could sit through a sequel with entirely different scales and battle contexts and a bonus round to see if the new champion can unseat Dorian as the best scale ever. Keep on rocking!

Really good video (as always). But I'd like to suggest to you to cover White Room by Cream in a video, It's my favourite psychadelic song. I never really understood it so your analasys will truly help, thanks

I'm sure many people will mention scales they like that didn't make it, so I'll put in my fave; mixolydian flat six. It's the fifth mode of the melodic minor scale, which also didn't make the list, but I like mixo-flat-six better so there.

my favorites are the phrygian dominant, melodic minor and one of it's modes, mixolydian b6. in terms of the best or most useful I'd say the major scale

Is... is that an Andalite at 5:04? This is the greatest video I've ever seen.

I love videos that are like "Why are you watching this? This isn't a good use of your time." Gotta be one of my favorite types of videos.

13:12 i love this channel so much

“Well there are two schools of thought…”

I loved this. Why did you ascending scales? 😊

YOOOO NEW 12TONE VID JUST DROPPED 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I can't believe the Every Dream Sequence Ever Scale lost out on chillness.

Yes! I was rooting for Dorian and never thought it would win.

Interesting and playful way of comparing these scales. If the 5 themes were thrown at the scales in a different order, would Dorian still win?

Tough to choose between Phrygian Dominant and the Blues scale myself

When I think of Dorian I immediately think of Gustav Holst's arrangements of "I love my love". These settings are very poignant in my opinion.

YEAY for Dorian, I love you!

I am pleased that you reached the correct conclusion about the best scale. 🙂

i wish there were more videos on the zycrygic scale

Could you do an analysis of Kashmir by Led Zeppelin?

Ooo how about a "what scale is worst competiton" video? Rate the scale on how well they do terrible/irritating things? Ie how much weird racism does double harmonic minor enable for film composers ("India? Egypt? Foreign planet where everything is hot sand for some reason? Boom! Double-harm-min!"). Or how being trapped in a car with children singing in a major key makes humans not want to reproduce more (ie making major the Thanosiest scale)? Awesome vid though! The "tournament" idea is actually a pretty fun way of talking about otherwise dry stuff. Clever!!

9:34 is that a celeste golden strawberry

I am trying to find the video where it talks on how the mind identifies dissonance (the one with the message from aliens). Anyone remember the title?

Another structural point about Dorian, both halves of the scale use the same tetrachord

A natural minor, is technically the best. Why 'A'? ALL instruments have easy access to the note 'A'. Its become the note (A) that orchestras use to tune. For example 'C' while easy on keyboard, cello, and viola, and commonly referred to as the most natural scale. Does not have such easy access on other instruments of the orchestra. The note A and E, however are easily accessible on almost all instruments. This has mainly to do with the constrictions of 'non-formatted' instruments, instruments that require a certain study of combinatorics, to produce notes (strings, woodwinds, brass). which consist the bulk of an orchestra. Keyboards, have arguably easy access to all notes. Hence the proclivity of composers of ages past, to gravitate towards it. For example, despite violin being Mozart's first instrument, because of his musical genius, keyboard (in his case most likely harpsichord) allowed for more experimentation, same with Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Rachmaninov, Chopin, Rossini, and even popular music artists today. Well tempered keyboards are the jack of all trades. BUT, musically speaking, for parity between various instruments A natural minor (not C major) would be the best base scale to permutate off of. In the modern era, however, music has become more digital. And the best scale is the one that gets the most hits. Consider Phrygian / Dorian, for those darker super emotive pop beats, that seam to keep hitting the charts since the beatless. Either way minor modes always come out on top. Minor is meta.

It's called I work 3rd and have the ability to put you on in the background to help pass time.

I love this concept so fiercely! Though obviously Dorian is the best mode, I'm ignoring that. Shut up! You're not my real mom! Geez, Double Harmonic loses on structure and you don't even mention it's has palindromic symmetry too? Ouch, I guess we too are the 20s lol

That was neat.

You've heard of Patrick Bartley's chord tier list, but how about a scale tournament!

As a Phrygian Dominant fan, I'll agree that Dorian is the best scale here. The versatility makes it OP in every way.

I guessed Dorian, but I was expecting a final showdown with the blues scale, though

I was so sad that Lydian had to compete on "spiciness" as it's my favorite scale, but it definitely isn't spicy.

so sad that harmonic minor didn’t make it, it’s my favorite minor scale, happy to see Phrygian dominant though

Dorian is a major mode? I've always heard it used as a minor scale. (Other note, first time through you labeled a Lorian scale instead of a a Locrian scale. Do you mean it's one of the relative church modes related to the major scale? I like Dorian. It's the default mode for 3rd position on harmonica. For weird reasons (2 missing diatonic notes in the 1st octave, 1 missing note in the top octave) the Natural Minor scale doesn't work as easily on diatonic harmonica. You need to use a whole step bend to get your root note in the bottom octave. As a result, Dorian gets used for minor a lot more often than Aeolian.

Can you please do an Understanding Layla?

really big fan of Dorian b2 / Phrygian #6 personally.

Lydian, Minor Blues, and Phrygian (and its variants) are the best scales!

Immediately Lydian sharp 2 or Phrygian Dominant

1:16 at least 3 of these are not emotions💀

Me: No Harmonic major? (looks near end) Double Harmonic Major 😎😎

A few years ago, a video appeared on the channel about a rap song whose weight changes all the time... Can anyone find me a copy of this? I can't find it 🙏

My favorite scale won.... good work 12 tone :)

havent watched it yet but excited to see how natural minor does

Thank you.

With regards to 2:08, all scales are derived!

I expected better from you, 12Tone. Obviously, Mixolydian is the BEST/GOAT/therestofyouallsuck scale.

Its forsure major or minor My favorite is objectively phrygian, not phrigian dominant, the major/ harmonic note ruins the darkness of the scale after a while, im always switching between them to keep the overall feel i want But, people never "like it" when i only play with the phrygian But as long as im changing it up Nobody's *ever* complained about me playing in major or minor, period. They always tell me it sounds beautiful, like even when im not trying Seeing as im new to gutair, only a few years old at least, one can absolutely say theyre judging the raw sound of the scales, when matched with how my newbie hands play So in terms of ease in playing And beauty to the beholder Major, and minor are the best in my humble experience

What about a breakdown of Misirlou by Dick Dale?

Interesting that Phrygian Dominant lost on poignancy, while for the Enigmatic scale, you point out its bottom three notes - which are the same in Phrygian Dominant and arguably its most defining feature - as one of its aspects that make it _most_ poignant.

I like your funny words, magic man

“Why did you do that?” I like music and doodles

Yay, Dorian!