The formula to build all major scales is:
W W H W W W H
W = whole step. H = half step
By using this formula we ensure that, regardless of the starting note, the notes will always have the same distances between them. The result is a Major Scale no matter what starting note you use.
Lets build one in G.
A whole step from G is A.
A whole step from A is B. G^A^B
Next is a 1/2 step from B to C. G^A^B^C
Then a whole step from C which is D. G^A^B^C^D
Another whole step from D to E. G^A^B^C^D^E
A whole step again from E to F#. G^A^B^C^D^E^F#
And finally a 1/2step from F# to G to complete the scale. G^A^B^C^D^E^F#^G
Here a couple more tips to know when building major scales:
- Each Major scale is constructed of 7 notes.
- All Major scales use all 7 letter names in alphabetical order.
- No 2 letter names will ever be repeated in any major scale.
- You will never mix #’s and b’s in the same major scale. The scale will either use flats(b) or sharps(#), never both. Or in the case of C major it won’t have any.
You should now be able to build all 12 major scales.
Here is a practice sheet you can print out to practice building all 12.
Here are the answers.
Key of C: C D E F G A B C
Key of G: G A B C D E F# G
Key of D: D E F# G A B C# D
Key of A: A B C# D E F# G# A
Key of E: E F# G# A B C# D# E
Key of B: B C# D# E F# G# A# B
Key of F: F G A Bb C D E F
Key of Bb: Bb C D Eb F G A Bb
Key of Eb: Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb
Key of Ab: Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab
Key of Db: Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db
Key of Gb: Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb
The Major Scale Formula is good for understanding how major scales are built. If you really want to know them fast you should memorize their key signatures!
Previous Lesson: First Intervals- Half Steps and Whole Steps
Next Lesson: Key Signatures
Music theory always brings up lots of questions. Please let me know if you have any!
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Hello! Thanks so much for these lessons, they are really helping me understand the stuff! Just had a question–“Key of Gb: Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb”…I put B instead of C-flat, is that pretty much the same thing, and do people usually say C-flat instead of B?
Thanks, I’ve been a little busy lately but there will be many more lessons to come! Yes, technically B natural and C flat are the same note. Think of it however you want when applying it to your instrument but, when writting, reading or talking about it, it will be called a C flat. One reason is that if you wrote it as a B natural, you would then have both a B flat and a B natural in the same scale and it gets messy to write and read. Make sure and read the tips at the bottom of the Major Scale Formula lesson. One of them points out that all major scales will contain all 7 letter names in alphabetical order and that no letter is ever repeated in the same octave. Keep studying your major scales they are the foundation for understanding music theory. Try also the lesson on key signatures. It is another way of organizing and understanding your major scales. As you get better you can also practice your knowledge of major scale key signatures with the quizes I created to help learn and internalize all twelve major scales.
Thanks for your question!
That was really helpful! Glad I found your site! Thanks a lot.
Thanks Christina! There will be lots more pages to come along with video lesson to accompany each page in the future. Let me know if you have any requests.
Oh great! Looking forward to it..yes definitely. Do you have a Facebook page and a YouTube channel? I’ll follow you