1) In the key of A, I think that the the diatonic scale is:
A B C# D E F# G#
1 3 5 7

When creating chords in a certain key, would changing the 5 to a 5b change the subsequent notes,"pulling them down" a step, like this?:
A B C# D Eb F G
1 3 5b 7

OR do the subsequent notes remain "true" to the tonic of the scale? A B C# D Eb F# G#
1 3 5b 7

I see where the harmonic and melodic minor scales have notes in the middle of the scale that are changed from sequence of the minor scale, with no affect on any subsequent notes. Or am I talking apples and oranges?

2) Is there a list somewhere which shows the intervals for all of the different types of scales (major, minor, blues, Urdu, Moldovian-whoopee-bop, etc.)? (just kidding about the last two)

1-2-2-1-2-2-2-1, is the major scale, right?

Stretch

THANKS! PS, love your "Edly's Music Theory for Practical People" book!

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Hi Stretch

1) Good question, well stated (but should be answered in the book!!!!!!)

Door #2 is correct, the subsequent notes remain as they were. If Door #1 were correct, things would get unwieldy very fast.

2) Dunno about a list, but a bunch are in the theory book. Have you read the scale sections? In your "1-2-2-1-2-2-2-1, is the major scale, right?" example, you've got an extra at the beginning. It should be "2-2-1-2-2-2-1." But, having said that, I'll repeat what I said in the book, that this way of looking at scales is okay only for very simple uses, and may explain your question #1 confusion. I'd suggest rereading the scales chapters, and think of the major scale as all whole-steps except half-steps in between 3 & 4, and 7 & 8. Think of all other scales as alterations of that.

Also, notice the b7 correction to your scenario here: A B C# D Eb F G
1 3 5b 7b

Hope this helps.

Edly