Building the major scale – free music theory course

A scale is a series of stepwise notes, arranged from low to high, between one note and its octave. The most important of all is the major scale: the "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do" everybody knows.

The formula

What makes a scale major is not its notes but the order of its whole and half steps:

whole – whole – half – whole – whole – whole – half

On the white keys, starting from C, this formula fits perfectly: the natural half steps E-F and B-C fall exactly between degrees 3-4 and 7-8.

M:4/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=90
K:C
C D E F | G A B c |]
w: C D E F G A B C

Two tetrachords

Cut the scale into two halves of four notes: C D E F and G A B C. They have exactly the same structure (whole – whole – half) and are separated by a whole step. These two identical "tetrachords" explain why the major scale feels so balanced — and they will help us understand the circle of fifths.

Transposing the formula

You can build a major scale on any note, as long as you apply the formula. Start on G: G-A (whole), A-B (whole), B-C (half), C-D (whole), D-E (whole), E-F… we need a whole step, but E-F is only a half step! So we raise F: F♯. And F♯-G gives the final half step.

M:4/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=90
K:C
G A B c | d e ^f g |]
w: G A B C D E F♯ G

Starting on F: F-G (whole), G-A (whole), A-B… we need a half step, but A-B is a whole step: lower B → B♭.

M:4/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=90
K:C
F G A _B | c d e f |]
w: F G A B♭ C D E F

Golden spelling rule: a scale uses each letter name exactly once, in order. So G major has F♯ (not G♭), and F major has B♭ (not A♯). A major scale never mixes sharps and flats.

Common mistake: building a scale "by ear" and forgetting an accidental. Always check the two critical spots: between degrees 3-4 and 7-8 there must be a half step; everywhere else, a whole step.

Fingering (right hand, C, G, D, A, E major): 1-2-3, thumb under, 1-2-3-4-5. Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1, finger 3 crosses over the thumb, 3-2-1. Practise them with the site's technique generator.