W = Whole Step H = Half Step

(A descending major scale will use the pattern in reverse order)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

W

W

H

W

W

W

H

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

Notice that major scales are usually written as 8 notes, however the last note is the same letter name as the first and is in fact the first note of the next octave of that scale.

Half step intervals occur between scale degrees 3-4 and 7-8 of the major scale.

The interval of a Whole step occurs between all other scale degrees.

Keyboard

The piano keyboard is arranged so that the White keys have the appropriate intervals for the C major scale. The half step between E-F and B-C on the keyboard also happens to be the scale degrees 3-4 and 7-8 respectively.

C major

Major Scales can be created beginning on any note. The interval pattern of W-W-H-W-W-W-H is always used to create the Major Scale. Major scales beginning on any other note will require the use of one or more black keys.

examples:

G major

G

A

B

C

D

E

F#

G

W

W

H

W

W

W

H

F major

F

G

A

Bb

C

D

E

F

W

W

H

W

W

W

H

Regardless of the starting note of any major scale, the interval formula will determine the notes used for that major scale.

Db major

Db

Eb

F

Gb

Ab

Bb

C

Db

W

W

H

W

W

W

H

A few of the thousands of melodies that are based on Major Scales:

Joy to the World - Handel

G major minuet - Bach

Jesu Joy of man desiring

Whiter Shade of Pale

Nowhere Man

Groovy Kind of Love (Clementi)

Lean on Me

Amazing Grace

Row Row Row your boat

Silent Night

Class Assignments:

Links to the Assignment Pages

Each assignment link below is to a GIF file on a single page. Print out each page and complete the assignments. Use your browser's BACK button to return to this page.

Using the worksheets, write out all of the Major scales.