Building A Major Scale

Building a Major Scale On Any Note

The major scale is the pillar stone upon which music is built. Everything is derived from the major scale, from chords and harmony to the formation of other scales. Learning a major scale is one of the most important things you can do as a musician. In this lesson we’re going to look at a formula we can use to build a major scale starting on any note on the piano.

The C Major Scale and Intervals

All major scales are made up of seven notes. In C major scale, these seven notes are C – D – E – F – G – A – B. Sometimes the octave is included as the eighth note of the scale; in the C major scale, this will be the C above the B.

The formulaic arrangement of half-step (HS) and whole-step (WS) intervals lets us know which notes are played in every major scale. For those who may need a refresher, a half-step is the smallest distance you can move on the piano, for example, the distance between C – C#. It is the movement from one note to the next note, immediately above or below the first. A whole-step is comprised of two half-steps, for example, the distance between C – D.

The major scale has a specific pattern which you can find repeatedly within all major scales:

WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – HS

If we follow this formula starting on the C key, we find that C to D is a whole-step, D – E is a whole-step, E – F is a half-step, F – G is a whole-step, G – A is a whole-step, A – B is a whole-step, and B – C is a half-step. This gives us the scale of C major:

WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – HS

C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

When it comes to counting intervals or distances, it’s very important for you to consider that intervals are the distance between the notes. For example, we cannot play the first note as C and call it a whole-step – instead, the whole-step is the transition from C to D, specifically as we play the second note D which we have moved to. Think of it in the sense of counting footsteps, where the first counted step is the foot you put down, not the foot you are standing on. The first note of the scale is always the root note; the note which determines the key, e.g. the root note/first note of the C major scale is C.

Because the major scale is made from a consistent formula, you will find that all of the major scales have a similar, recognizable similar sound. As you practice using the C major scale example provided above, try getting used to the sound of the scale melodically. Recognizing this common scale by ear will become just as important as getting to know it theoretically.

Testing This Formula On Other Starting Notes

F major

Now we will start on the F key. Following the same formula, we find that F – G is a whole-step, G – A is a whole-step, A – Bb is a half-step, Bb – C is a whole-step, C – D is a whole-step, D – E is a whole-step, E – F is a half-step. This will give you the F major scale:

WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – HS

F – G – A – Bb – C – D – E – F

Bb major

Next, let’s start on Bb. Using the same formula, Bb – C is a whole-step, C – D is a whole-step, D – Eb is a half-step, Eb – F is a whole-step, F – G is a whole-step, G – A is a whole-step, A – Bb is a half-step. This gives us the Bb major scale:

WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – HS

Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A – Bb

Download Our Major Scale Finger Chart Below.

Once you are comfortable playing these examples, you can begin practicing the major scales starting on any key of the piano. Practice slowly, get used to the fingerings, and notice how the formula gives the scale a distinctive sound, no matter where upon the piano it is played. It is important to learn the major scales on every pitch of the piano and to be able to play them both ascending and descending. This will be vital when you start learning about chords, as knowing which notes belong to each major scale will help you determine which notes you can build chords on within each key.