Actually, hexachords are some kind of legend.

Tetrachords, the ones our western music is based on, are the harmonic intervals that make out the scales. (You actually need two tetracords to make an heptatonic scale, or 7 notes scale).

Tetrachords come in 4 types, major, minor, phrygian(also called napolitan) and harmonic.

To make the major scale, you just put two major tetrachords.


Every scales can be put back into tetrachords, and you actually use them to invent hybrid or 'non natural scales'