Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. The major scale is the foundation from which all other scales are formed.

The notes on a major scale are numbered from 1 to 8, this signifies the intervals.

Formula to Form a Major Scale

There is a simple formula you can apply to form a major scale:

whole step—whole step—half step—whole step—whole step—whole step—half step

Keep in mind, there are 12 semitones (or notes) that form an octave in western music. There are whole tones and halftones. The halftones are formed by going a half-step up or down from the whole tone. Each of the semitones makes up the 12 semitones. Going a ​half-step is the smallest interval in western music. 

The formula to form a major scale involves using whole steps and half steps. 

Major Scale in Every Key

A C major scale begins with a C and ends with a C. It is the simplest to write in notation and demonstrate on a piano. It has no sharps or flats. On a piano, it is played by going from the C note on a keyboard, striking each key after it until you reach the next C—all white keys in succession from one C to the next. Playing from C to C is the completion of an octave (eight notes).

The same rule applies to the rest of the keys where a D major scale begins and ends with a D and so on. 

Key Notes That Form the Scale

C C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

D D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D

E E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E

F F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F

G G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G

A A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A

B B - C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A# - B

C Sharp C# - D# - E# (=F) - F# - G# - A# - B# (=C) - C#

D Flat Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Bb - C - Db

E Flat Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C - D -Eb

F Sharp F# - G# - A# - B - C# - D# - E# (=F) - F#

G Flat Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb (=B) - Db - Eb - F - Gb

A Flat Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G - Ab

B Flat Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G - A - Bb

Major Scale As a Diatonic Scale

A major scale is considered a diatonic scale. Diatonic means that the scale has five whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semitones) in the octave. Many scales are diatonic including major, minor (the harmonic minor is an exception) and modal scales.

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

What Is a Chromatic Scale?

The Italian Commands of Piano Music

The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

What Are Keynotes and Tonics?

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals

Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar

Printable Piano Lesson Book

Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory

Different Meanings of Tone in Music

Understand the Pattern of Black Piano Keys

Table of Intervals in Music Theory

triad

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

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When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. The major scale is the foundation from which all other scales are formed.

The notes on a major scale are numbered from 1 to 8, this signifies the intervals.

Formula to Form a Major Scale

There is a simple formula you can apply to form a major scale:

whole step—whole step—half step—whole step—whole step—whole step—half step

Keep in mind, there are 12 semitones (or notes) that form an octave in western music. There are whole tones and halftones. The halftones are formed by going a half-step up or down from the whole tone. Each of the semitones makes up the 12 semitones. Going a ​half-step is the smallest interval in western music. 

The formula to form a major scale involves using whole steps and half steps. 

Major Scale in Every Key

A C major scale begins with a C and ends with a C. It is the simplest to write in notation and demonstrate on a piano. It has no sharps or flats. On a piano, it is played by going from the C note on a keyboard, striking each key after it until you reach the next C—all white keys in succession from one C to the next. Playing from C to C is the completion of an octave (eight notes).

The same rule applies to the rest of the keys where a D major scale begins and ends with a D and so on. 

Key Notes That Form the Scale

C C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

D D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D

E E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E

F F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F

G G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G

A A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A

B B - C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A# - B

C Sharp C# - D# - E# (=F) - F# - G# - A# - B# (=C) - C#

D Flat Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Bb - C - Db

E Flat Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C - D -Eb

F Sharp F# - G# - A# - B - C# - D# - E# (=F) - F#

G Flat Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb (=B) - Db - Eb - F - Gb

A Flat Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G - Ab

B Flat Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G - A - Bb

Major Scale As a Diatonic Scale

A major scale is considered a diatonic scale. Diatonic means that the scale has five whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semitones) in the octave. Many scales are diatonic including major, minor (the harmonic minor is an exception) and modal scales.

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

What Is a Chromatic Scale?

The Italian Commands of Piano Music

The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

What Are Keynotes and Tonics?

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals

Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar

Printable Piano Lesson Book

Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory

Different Meanings of Tone in Music

Understand the Pattern of Black Piano Keys

Table of Intervals in Music Theory

triad

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. The major scale is the foundation from which all other scales are formed.

The notes on a major scale are numbered from 1 to 8, this signifies the intervals.

Formula to Form a Major Scale

There is a simple formula you can apply to form a major scale:

whole step—whole step—half step—whole step—whole step—whole step—half step

Keep in mind, there are 12 semitones (or notes) that form an octave in western music. There are whole tones and halftones. The halftones are formed by going a half-step up or down from the whole tone. Each of the semitones makes up the 12 semitones. Going a ​half-step is the smallest interval in western music. 

The formula to form a major scale involves using whole steps and half steps. 

Major Scale in Every Key

A C major scale begins with a C and ends with a C. It is the simplest to write in notation and demonstrate on a piano. It has no sharps or flats. On a piano, it is played by going from the C note on a keyboard, striking each key after it until you reach the next C—all white keys in succession from one C to the next. Playing from C to C is the completion of an octave (eight notes).

The same rule applies to the rest of the keys where a D major scale begins and ends with a D and so on. 

Key Notes That Form the Scale

C C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

D D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D

E E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E

F F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F

G G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G

A A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A

B B - C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A# - B

C Sharp C# - D# - E# (=F) - F# - G# - A# - B# (=C) - C#

D Flat Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Bb - C - Db

E Flat Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C - D -Eb

F Sharp F# - G# - A# - B - C# - D# - E# (=F) - F#

G Flat Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb (=B) - Db - Eb - F - Gb

A Flat Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G - Ab

B Flat Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G - A - Bb

Major Scale As a Diatonic Scale

A major scale is considered a diatonic scale. Diatonic means that the scale has five whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semitones) in the octave. Many scales are diatonic including major, minor (the harmonic minor is an exception) and modal scales.

Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. The major scale is the foundation from which all other scales are formed.

The notes on a major scale are numbered from 1 to 8, this signifies the intervals.

Formula to Form a Major Scale

There is a simple formula you can apply to form a major scale:

whole step—whole step—half step—whole step—whole step—whole step—half step

Keep in mind, there are 12 semitones (or notes) that form an octave in western music. There are whole tones and halftones. The halftones are formed by going a half-step up or down from the whole tone. Each of the semitones makes up the 12 semitones. Going a ​half-step is the smallest interval in western music. 

The formula to form a major scale involves using whole steps and half steps. 

Major Scale in Every Key

A C major scale begins with a C and ends with a C. It is the simplest to write in notation and demonstrate on a piano. It has no sharps or flats. On a piano, it is played by going from the C note on a keyboard, striking each key after it until you reach the next C—all white keys in succession from one C to the next. Playing from C to C is the completion of an octave (eight notes).

The same rule applies to the rest of the keys where a D major scale begins and ends with a D and so on. 

Key Notes That Form the Scale

C C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

D D - E - F# - G - A - B - C# - D

E E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E

F F - G - A - Bb - C - D - E - F

G G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G

A A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A

B B - C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A# - B

C Sharp C# - D# - E# (=F) - F# - G# - A# - B# (=C) - C#

D Flat Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Bb - C - Db

E Flat Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C - D -Eb

F Sharp F# - G# - A# - B - C# - D# - E# (=F) - F#

G Flat Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb (=B) - Db - Eb - F - Gb

A Flat Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - G - Ab

B Flat Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G - A - Bb

Major Scale As a Diatonic Scale

A major scale is considered a diatonic scale. Diatonic means that the scale has five whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semitones) in the octave. Many scales are diatonic including major, minor (the harmonic minor is an exception) and modal scales.

Major Scale As a Diatonic Scale

A major scale is considered a diatonic scale. Diatonic means that the scale has five whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semitones) in the octave. Many scales are diatonic including major, minor (the harmonic minor is an exception) and modal scales.

  • Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

  • What Is a Chromatic Scale?

  • The Italian Commands of Piano Music

  • The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

  • What Are Keynotes and Tonics?

  • Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

  • Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

  • Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals

  • Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar

  • Printable Piano Lesson Book

  • Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory

  • Different Meanings of Tone in Music

  • Understand the Pattern of Black Piano Keys

  • Table of Intervals in Music Theory

  • triad

  • Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

What Is a Chromatic Scale?

What Is a Chromatic Scale?

The Italian Commands of Piano Music

The Italian Commands of Piano Music

The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

What Are Keynotes and Tonics?

What Are Keynotes and Tonics?

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals

Definition and Examples of Melodic Intervals

Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar

Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar

Printable Piano Lesson Book

Printable Piano Lesson Book

Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory

Overview of Pentatonic Scales in Music Theory

Different Meanings of Tone in Music

Different Meanings of Tone in Music

Understand the Pattern of Black Piano Keys

Understand the Pattern of Black Piano Keys

Table of Intervals in Music Theory

Table of Intervals in Music Theory

triad

triad

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

Home

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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

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When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies