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The major scale follows the interval pattern T-T-S-T-T-T-S from any starting note

Principle L1Foundations A · Music theory & musicianship

A major scale is defined not by which specific notes it uses, but by its characteristic pattern of whole tones (T = 2 semitones) and semitones (S = 1 semitone): T T S T T T S. Starting from any keynote and applying this pattern produces a major scale in that key. The 12 chromatic notes make 12 major scales possible. The pattern can also be written numerically as 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 (semitone counts between successive scale degrees). This is the single most important formula in tonal music: knowing it, a producer can build melodies, find chords, and construct every key signature without memorizing individual scales.

Examples

C major: C D E F G A B C (all white keys). G major: G A B C D E F# G (one sharp). F major: F G A Bb C D E F (one flat).

Assessment

Build the D major scale from scratch using only the T-T-S-T-T-T-S pattern. How many sharps or flats does it require?

Prerequisites — understand these first

Don't confuse with

The natural minor scale follows T-S-T-T-S-T-T, starting on the 6th degree of its relative major

Sources

“The importance of this is that once the pattern of tones and semitones is known, it becomes possible to build a major scale on any note simply by counting up from that note: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone.”

corpus · michael-hewitt-music-theory-for-computer-musicians · chunk 10

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