Major Scales
A major scale is a series of seven notes based on a pattern of whole steps and half steps between notes. The pattern is:
Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half
For example, lets look at the C Major scale.
Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half
For example, lets look at the C Major scale.
Now, look at the piano below. Based on the pattern Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half the C Major scale goes from
C to D D to E E to F F to G G to A A to B and B to C
Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half
This pattern holds true for every Major Scale
C to D D to E E to F F to G G to A A to B and B to C
Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half
This pattern holds true for every Major Scale
Photo Credit: [Piano] Wikimedia Commons retrieved on 9/19/2013 from commons.wikimedia.org
Video Credit: [C major scale] Youtube retrieved on 9/25/2013 from www.youtube.com.
Major Scales can be played in all twelve Major keys but the pattern of whole steps and half steps always remains the same. Therefore, if you want to play D Major scale:
D to E E to F-sharp F-sharp to G G to A A to B B to C-sharp C-sharp to D
Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half
D to E E to F-sharp F-sharp to G G to A A to B B to C-sharp C-sharp to D
Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half
Photo Credit: [D major scale] Piano Lessons Info retrieved on 9/25/2013 from www.piano-lessons-info.com
That is why flats and sharps are useful. They raise or lower the need tones so that it matches the pattern. In the D major scale, the F tone and the C tone are raised one half step which fits the pattern. The Major scale is the same ascending as it is descending.