Major Scales

Out of all the scales you can play the major scales are without a doubt the most important.

A scale is a collection of notes, selected from the notes in an octave. The intervals between each note is what give each scale it's own character and sound.

Here are some of the basics:

• The major scale is the first of the diatonic scales
• The major scale can also be known as the Ionian Mode
• The major scale contains 7 notes

In order to learn the major scale and construct one for yourself you need to know the chromatic scale, as the chromatic scale defines all the notes in music, from which all other scales are built.

 

Chromatic Scale

The chromatic scale contains the 12 notes of the musical alphabet.

It is the intervals between these notes that gives different scales their unique sound.

 

Constructing The Major scale From The Chromatic Scale

Above is the formula for the major scale. As you can see it is pretty straight forward.

The 'W' stands for whole step and the'H' stands for half step. This formula never changes so once you learn it you can apply it to each of the different keys, all you do is change your starting note or as it's also known; the root note.

 

For easy-to-follow, step by step instructions on how to use this formula on a piano check out this free lesson, learning piano chords.