MAJOR SCALES

  There are two types of scales: Major and minor

  Both have eight notes, starting and ending on notes of the same name.

   Each note of a scale is called a degree. We use Roman numerals to name the notes:

MAJOR SCALES

Whatever note they start on, they all follow the same pattern.

This pattern is a set order of tone and semitone gaps between the notes:

         

The pattern of a major scale is: T-T-S-T-T-T-S

Do Mayor

   

So the semitones in a Major scale are between the III and IV degrees and between the VII - VIII degrees

 

STEPS TO BUILD ANY MAJOR SCALE:

1. Write the notes (eight)
2. Write the degrees in roman numerals
3. Highlight the gap between III-IV and VII-VIII degrees.
4. Make sure that it follows the pattern TTSTTTS
5. You may use flats and sharps to correct the gaps.

*** Flats and sharps cannot be mixed in the same scale!!

Fa Mayor

Diatonic scale

Do you remember how the diatonic scale is?

Diatonic scale has seven sounds (eight with the high "do"). 

There are two half steps (semitones), in between MI-FA and SI-DO:

Diatonic scale

Whole step = tone

Half step = semitone

   

It is very easy to see the semitones on a keyboard: