Melody - Major Scales

A scale (from the Italian word for ladder) is a series of notes from low to high (or high to low) following some pattern of whole steps and half steps.

A major scale is a series of notes, in alphabetical order, beginning and ending on the same pitch. Like a "musical ladder", each step is the next consecutive note in the key. Sometimes, the solfège syllables are used to sing the scale: DO, RE, MI, FA, SOL, LA, TI, DO.
The major scale pattern is shown below.

All major scales are based on the pattern of the key of C major, which has no sharps or flats. Thus, all the notes of the C major scale occur on the white keys of the piano keyboard. Once you understand the construction of the scale in the key of C major, you'll be able to build the scale and key signature for every other major key.

As you already know, the shortest distance between two notes, is called a half step. A whole step is the equivalent of two half-steps. Let's examine the pattern of whole steps and half steps in the C major scale.

Take the time to memorize this important pattern, because it is the blueprint for all other major scales: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. 

Once you are quite familiar with the step-by-step pattern of the C major scale, take a look at the G major scale. The notes of this scale are the building blocks for music in the key of G major. Notice that this scale requires an F# note in order to follow the proper step-by-step pattern for major scales:

Now take a look at the F major scale. The notes of this scale are the building blocks for music in the key of F major. Notice that this scale requires an B♭ note in order to follow the proper step-by-step pattern for major scales,

WHEN WRITING MAJOR SCALES, REMEMBER:

• There should be eight (8) notes.
• The first (1st) note and the last note should have the same name.
• Every letter name must appear at least once.
• Follow the interval pattern W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
• The notes B-C and E-F are a semitone apart.
• A sharp raises a note by a semitone.
• A flat raises a note by a semitone.
• A major scale can only have either sharps or flats, NEVER both.