A musical scale is a series of notes arranged in ascending or descending order. The most common type is the major scale, which consists of seven notes and follows a specific pattern of whole and half steps. Each scale has a unique sound and mood, influencing the music created from it. Another important scale is the minor scale, which also has seven notes but produces a different emotional quality. Scales serve as the foundation for melodies and harmonies in music, allowing composers and musicians to create a wide variety of musical pieces across different genres.