How do you construct a major scale?

Answer 1

There are several ways to think about constructing a major scale.

The first method is to use whole steps (W) (Like between C and D on the piano) and Half steps (H) (Like between E and F on the piano). This method is used by much just learning Theory.

(This method has draw backs and can be confusing for people who do not know piano, whole steps refer to note spacing on the piano)

The pattern WWHWWWH is used to describe how you add each note on.

For example if I am building the C major scale, I would start with C as scale degree 1. Scale Degree 2 would be a whole step up, which is D. Scale degree 3 is E another whole step up. Scale degree 4 is F which is a half step up. Continue adding notes until you have 8 scale degrees. this pattern is the same, if you start on a note like Eb as scale degree 1. Scale degree 2 would be F a whole step away.

The better way to think about a major scale is using Major 2nds (M2) and Minor 2nds (m2).

The pattern to build scales with this is MMmMMMm.

This method is superior because it translates to all instruments and is describes how you would write the notes on staff paper.

The process for building goes the same as above. Starting with F# as scale degree 1, scale degree 2 is a major second away, G#, scale degree 3 is another major second away A#, and so on.

Finally, if you understand all of these and want a quick way to write major scales you can think about the number of sharps and flats in the Major key signature. To use this method first write all of the notes out on your staff paper (don't use any accidentals except for your first note), starting with the first note of the major scale (scale degree 1). Then write 7 more notes, each note a second away (they should all be right next to each other). Then figure out what notes are sharp or flat in the major key signature, and apply that to the notes. This is a more advanced method and requires lots more musical theory background. Refer to how to determine key signatures to learn more about this method.

Answer 2

No matter what note you start from to construct a major scale, you would use this specific pattern to navigate your way up the scale:

W W H W W W H

W=a whole step, or 2 notes away from the note you are on now: example- C to D is a whole step or Bb to C is a whole step.

H=a half step, or 1 note away from the note you are on now: example- C to C# is a half step or Bb to B is a half step.

So, If you started from Bb to create a major scale, using W W H W W W H would have you use these notes:

Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

or perhaps an easier one to visualize would be from C:

C D E F G A B C

Answer 3

One way to think about constructing a major scale is to keep in mind that every scale has twelve potential Intervals (distance between notes) in each octave, which is the distance from one note to the same note in the next register (either higher or lower). For example, C4 (Middle C) to C5 (up 1 register). Half steps are also known as semitones or half tones and are the smallest musical interval in Western tonal music. Each note is one half step away from the previous note and the following note. Playing every note in the chosen octave (for this example, we'll stay with C4 to C5) is called a chromatic scale.

The following symbols are called accidentals:

# = sharp (1 half step up)

b = flat (1 half step down)

It would look like this:

1. Half step (C to C#/Db)
2. Half step (C#/Db to D)
3. Half step (D to D#/Eb)
4. Half step (D#/Eb to E)
5. Half step (E to F)
6. Half step (F to F#/Gb)
7. Half step (F#/Gb to G)
8. Half step (G to G#/Ab)
9. Half step (G#/Ab to A)
10. Half step (A to A#/Bb)
11. Half step (A#/Bb to B)
12. Half step (B, ending on C)

A major scale varies between half steps and whole steps (2 half steps).

It would look like this:

1. Whole step (C to D)
2. Whole step (D to E)
3. Half step (E to F)
4. Whole step (F to G)
5. Whole step (G to A)
6. Whole step (A to B)
7. Half step (B, ending on C)

The specific note names will change depending on the key of the scale, for example a Bb Major scale or an F# Major scale, but the sequence of Whole-steps and Half-steps will remain the same.

Answer 4

All scales follow a formula like a math equation or recipe! All types of scales consist of 8 notes. The major scale follows this formula:

Maj2+Maj2+min2+Maj2+Maj2+Maj2+min2

so… if you were to start on C for the C Major Scale…

C (Maj2 or 1 Whole Step up) D (Maj2 Up) E

(min2 or half step up) F (Maj2 up) G

(Maj2 up) A (Maj2 up) B (min2 up) C

You can follow this same formula starting on any note to find any major scale… :-)