The major scale pattern

About 2 min to read, then 5 practice questions

What is a scale?

The scale of C major, C up to C

A scale is a run of notes from one note up to the same letter an octave higher. It climbs one letter at a time. A scale is named after its first note.

Tone, tone, semitone

T is a tone, S a semitone

A major scale always uses the same pattern of steps: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone. The semitones fall between notes 3 and 4 and between notes 7 and 8.

Quick check

In a major scale, where does the first semitone fall?

C major: all white keys

E to F and B to C: the two semitones

C major uses only the white keys. Its two semitones, E to F and B to C, fall in exactly the right places. So C major needs no sharps or flats.

Quick check

How many sharps or flats does the scale of C major need?

Remember

A scale runs from one note up to the same letter an octave higher.
Major: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone.
C major is all white keys.

Practise this: 5 questions, about 4 min

Answering from memory soon after reading is what makes it stick, so now is a good time.

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