← Music Theory · Scales & keys · about 20 min
Major scales
One formula builds a major scale starting on any note.
The formula
Every major scale follows the same pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H).
| Step | 1→2 | 2→3 | 3→4 | 4→5 | 5→6 | 6→7 | 7→8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | W | W | H | W | W | W | H |
C major
Start on C. The pattern lands on all white keys. There are half steps between E–F and B–C, exactly where the formula needs them.
G major
Start on G and follow the same formula. To get a half step between the 7th and 8th notes, F has to become F♯. That is where the one sharp in G major comes from.