Music is very close to math. Harmony certainly is. You don't need to memorize things. Use logic, math, your ears and be consistent with your practice.
For example, if you know the C (major) scale, and know that every (western) major scale follows the same exact pattern, then by knowing the C scale, you know all major scales. And there are different paths you can take to figure them out. One is to know the famous 'Circle of Fifths'. Another path, if you don't know the 'Circle', is to understand the intervals between notes that are present in the major scale.
By knowing that the major scale is comprised of: step, step, half-step, step, step, step, half-step, you can figure out C# major scale, D major scale, Eb, E, etc... Please see the example below:
I hope you find this information helpful! Please feel free to share with anybody you think could use it. For info about private lessons please visit my lessons page: http://www.paulamaya.com/musiclessons
See you soon everybody!
Paula
