Major Scales

The Major Scale is the most common scale in music. It is the foundation for most contemporary music and common practice classical music.

The major scale can be easily constructed by combining two major tetrachords. The second tetrachord begins a whole step above the last note of the first tetrachord.

For a review of the Major Tetrachord and whole and half-steps see Major Tetrachords.

How to Build a Major Scale

1. The notes are consecutive ascending letter names in the music alphabet beginning with the name of the scale and continuing up to the name of the scale again — eight notes in all.
2. Adjust the first four notes, using accidentals, to form a major tetrachord.
3. Adjust the fifth note so that it is a whole step above the forth note.
4. Adjust the top four notes to form a major tetrachord.

Example: E Major Scale

1. Note names ascending from E to E are: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E
          
2. To adjust the first four notes into a major tetrachord (WS, WS, HS) requires an F♯ and a G♯.
    ♯  ♯      
3. To form a whole step between the fourth and fifth note requires no change.
    ♯  ♯      
4. To adjust the top four notes to form a major tetrachord requires a C♯ and D♯.
    ♯  ♯    ♯  ♯  

To review Note Names see The Treble Clef and The Bass Clef.