Major Scales and Key Signatures

The Major Scale

Every major scale has the same pattern of intervals from bottom to top.  These intervals are either Whole Steps (W) or Half Steps (H).  A whole step consists of two half steps. The pattern is always: W – W – H – W – W – W – H

 This can be divided into two identical four-note packages called tetrachords, with a whole step link between them.  The two half steps occur between the 3^rd and 4^th notes, and the 7^th and 8^th notes in an ascending major scale.

Key Signatures

Memorize the Pyramid of Perfect 5ths

Key signatures are defined by the number of sharps or flats that each signature contains.  This pyramid, better known as the  Circle of Fifths, refers to a diagram with all the key signatures in order.  This makes learning key signatures easier.

Singing Major Scales

Musicians sing melodies with solfege syllables that represent the scale degrees 1 – 7. 

Do – Re – Mi – Fa – Sol – La – Ti – Do

Practice singing major scales and simple melodies using solfege.