The major scale pattern
What is a scale?
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
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
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.
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