Let's stick with a basic major scale example. We'll start on the C and play the pattern to the next C
When we play through the pattern, if we count the lower and the higher octave of our Root Note, we get a pattern of 8 notes. After that, the pattern repeats.
As we said before, the Major Scale works the same starting from any pitch. So let's drive this point home by looking at the major scale without worrying about the names of notes and just play the pattern. We'll just assign numbers to each note of the scale.
Thinking of scales in this way, as an abstract pattern rather than a set of specific pitches really gives us a simple framework for working with scales. When we use this number system, people often refer to the numbers as the degrees of the scale. This way of thinking and communicating about harmony is used all the time, especially in jazz. To me it's the most straightforward way to make sense of chords, modes, and other stuff. This framework is sometimes called Modal Harmony. Next, let's learn about Modes