Scales: meaning, definitions and examples

Repeated from above.

Notes are the individual sounds that make up music. They can be identified by their pitch and duration and are the fundamental elements of musical notation.

• She hit all the right notes during her piano recital.
• Understanding how to read musical notes is an important skill for any musician.

Keys refer to the group of pitches or scale that forms the basis of a music composition. It often indicates the tonality of the piece.

• The song is written in the key of F major.
• Learning the different keys is essential for playing the guitar proficiently.

Tonic refers to the first note of a scale, which gives the scale its name and serves as the home base or starting point in music theory.

• In the C major scale, C is the tonic.
• The melody resolved back to the tonic, giving a sense of completion.

Used to measure weight, often in a simple or everyday setting like a kitchen or bathroom.

• I use the scales every morning to check my weight
• The kitchen scales help me measure ingredients accurately for baking

Typically used in scientific, laboratory, or industrial settings to measure small weights with high accuracy.

• The laboratory balance is essential for precise measurements in experiments
• Pharmacists use a balance to measure doses of medicine accurately

A general term for a device used to measure weight, can be used in various contexts including industrial or everyday use.

• The weighing machine at the grocery store helps us measure fruits and vegetables
• The airport uses a weighing machine to check the weight of passenger luggage

Used for weighing vehicles, often in industrial, agricultural, or logistics contexts.

• The truck was weighed on the weighbridge before it entered the factory
• Farmers use a weighbridge to measure the weight of their loaded grain trucks

Used to describe the small, hard plates that cover the bodies of fishes and reptiles.

• The fish's scales shone brightly in the sunlight.
• Reptiles like lizards have scales covering their skin for protection.

Typically refers to flat, rigid surfaces. In biological terms, it refers to the bony or hard sections on some animals for protection. Additionally, used in a mechanical context.

• The armadillo is protected by bony plates on its back.
• The chef arranged the food artistically on the plates.

Refers to the protective gear worn by soldiers or used on vehicles in battle situations. Can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional defense mechanisms.

• The knight’s armour protected him in the battle.
• She put up emotional armour to shield herself from getting hurt.

Describes the hard, protective outer layer of various organisms, such as mollusks, turtles, and some insects. Also used metaphorically to describe an outer boundary or protective layer.

• The turtle retracted into its shell when it felt threatened.
• He finally broke out of his shell and started socializing more.