Build any Major Scale

Building A Major Scale

Just like with building triads, building a major scale is about understanding the intervals between each note of the scale.  If you understand this, you can build any major scale.

All major scales follow this pattern:

(W = Whole Step, H = Half Step)

W - W - H - W - W - W - H

So let's look at the notes of a C major scale.  They are shown below with the interval between each note in parenthesis:

C (W) D (W) E (H) F (W) G (W) A (W) B (H) C

A good way to practice is to just pick a random note on the keyboard and then build your major scale.  Learning your scales this way will make sure you don't ever forget the notes in a major scale.

Additional Piano Scales Videos

• The C Blues Scale
• Build any Minor Scale
• Build any Major Scale

Additional Piano Reading

• Online Jazz Piano Lessons
• Overcoming Stage Fright at the Piano
• Analysis of Mozart's Piano Concerto in G major, K.453
• Piano Scales Made Easy