If someone asked you, “what is a scale?” … would you be able to answer them?

Scales are important. They are the basis of melodies and chords. Without knowing your scales, you are a car mechanic without his tools.

What are scales? A good way to define a scale is to list the following characteristics:

-A scale is an organized series of pitches
-A scale utilizes accidentals, when necessary
-A scale consist of a series of notes that differ in sound
-A scale is linked to the concept of “Keys” in that a song which utilizes a given scale is said to be in that key (For example: “Mary had a little lamb in C major”).

In our 300-pg course, we teach the following principle:

A major scale has 8 tones. The (C major scale) is: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. In other words, the (C major scale) consists of all the white keys in between to the “C” notes.

It is very important that you remember this poem:

“Half steps are from key to key with NO keys in between,
Whole steps always skip a key with ONE key in between.”

(H) Half Step: key to key (for example, C to C# is a half step because there are no skipped notes)

(W) Whole step: every other key (for example C to D because C# is skipped —- or F to G because F# is skipped).

The major scale is built using the following pattern:

W-W-H-W-W-W-H

For example, in C major:

C to D is a whole step (w).
D to E is a whole step (w).

However, E to F is a half step (h).

F to G is a whole step (w).
G to A is a whole step (w).
A to B is a whole step (w) and …

B to C is a half step (h).

With this principle, you should be able to learn your major scales in all 12 keys! Just start with the first note and build on top of it.

C = C + D + E + F + G + A + B + C

You try the rest …

C# = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
D = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
Eb = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
E = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
F = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
F# = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
G = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
Ab = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
A = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
Bb = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __
B = __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __ + __

Thank you for your time!

Subscribe in a reader

Why subscribe?

Popularity: 13% [?]

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed for regular updates. If you'd rather subscribe by e-mail, click here. Thanks for visiting.

Related posts:

1. “Minor and Blues Scales” Crash Course
2. Major Scales Workshop #1
3. Major Scales Workshop #2
4. Why the circle of fourths is so important when learning major scales
5. Here’s another interesting way to look at major scales
6. Using the power of tetrachords to play any major scale you want!
7. What everybody ought to know about melodic minor scales