What a scale is
A scale is a sequence of notes arranged in steps, from low to high, that starts and ends on the same note. The note it starts on is called the tonic and gives the scale its name: the G scale starts and ends on G.
The major scale formula
Every major scale follows the same pattern of distances:
(W = whole step, H = half step). Starting on C, this formula lands exactly on the white keys, because the natural half steps E–F and B–C are in the right places:
The numbers are the scale degrees. 8 is the tonic again, an octave higher.
Building the scale in other keys
Just start on another note and apply the same formula. Two rules help you write it correctly:
- Use each letter once, in order: if it started on G, the letter sequence is G A B C D E F G.
- Adjust with ♯ or ♭ so the distance matches the formula.
G major (G)
G→A (W) · A→B (W) · B→C (H) · C→D (W) · D→E (W) · E→? has to be a whole step, so it's F♯ · F♯→G (H). Done:
D major (D)
F major (F)
F→G (W) · G→A (W) · A→? has to be a half step, so it's B♭ · and the rest falls into place:
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Open the free app →Table of the most common major scales
| Scale | Notes | Accidentals |
|---|---|---|
| C major (C) | C D E F G A B (do re mi fa sol la si) | none |
| G major (G) | G A B C D E F♯ | 1 ♯ |
| D major (D) | D E F♯ G A B C♯ | 2 ♯ |
| A major (A) | A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ | 3 ♯ |
| E major (E) | E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ | 4 ♯ |
| F major (F) | F G A B♭ C D E | 1 ♭ |
| B♭ major | B♭ C D E♭ F G A | 2 ♭ |
| E♭ major (E♭) | E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D | 3 ♭ |
Scale degrees and their names
Each position in the scale is a degree, written as a Roman numeral. Degrees are the basis for building chords and the diatonic chords.
| Degree | Name | In C major | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Tonic | C | Home, rest |
| II | Supertonic | D | |
| III | Mediant | E | Decides major or minor |
| IV | Subdominant | F | Moves away from home |
| V | Dominant | G | Tension that wants to return |
| VI | Submediant | A | Relative minor |
| VII | Leading tone | B | A half step below the tonic, it “pulls” toward it |
Key signature
Instead of writing the ♯ on every F in the whole song, the sheet music puts the scale's sharps or flats right at the start of the staff. That's the key signature. Seeing a ♯ on the F line at the start of the staff already tells you the music is probably in G major (or E minor, the relative; see minor scale).
Why the major scale sounds “happy”
What gives it the major character is mainly the 3rd degree, which is two whole steps from the tonic (a major third). In the minor scale that degree is a step and a half away, and the sound changes completely. You'll understand that difference in intervals and in how to build chords.
Now put the theory into your fingers
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Practice theory in the free appFrequently asked questions
What is the major scale formula?
Whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (W W H W W W H), starting from the tonic.
Why does the C major scale have no sharps or flats?
Because starting on C, the natural half steps E–F and B–C fall exactly on positions 3–4 and 7–8, just as the formula requires.
Which major scale has one sharp?
G major. The sharp is F♯.
Which major scale has one flat?
F major. The flat is B♭.