A major scale is an ordered collection of half- (abbreviated H) and whole-steps (abbreviated W) in the following ascending succession: W-W-H-W-W-W-H. Listen to EXAMPLE 1 to hear a major scale, ascending:
An ascending major scale in treble clef, consisting of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and C
EXAMPLE 1. An ascending major scale
In EXAMPLE 1 the whole-steps are labeled with square brackets (and Ws), and the half-steps are labeled with angled brackets (and Hs). A major scale always starts and ends on notes of the same letter name, which should be an octave apart. In EXAMPLE 1 the first note is C and the last note is C. Major scales are named for their first and last note. EXAMPLE 1 depicts a C major scale because its first and last note is a C. Always be sure to include the accidental of the first and last note when you name a scale. EXAMPLE 2 shows this:
A B-flat major scale is shown consisting of the notes B-flat, C, D, E-flat, F, G, A, and B-flat
EXAMPLE 2. A B-flat major scale
The first and last note in EXAMPLE 2 is a B♭. Therefore EXAMPLE 2 is a B♭ (B-flat) major scale. You must say and write the flat, because B is different from the note B♭. Note that the pattern of half- and whole-steps is the same in every major scale, as shown in Examples 1 and 2.
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Major Scales
A major scale is an ordered collection of half- (abbreviated H) and whole-steps (abbreviated W) in the following ascending succession: W-W-H-W-W-W-H. Listen to EXAMPLE 1 to hear a major scale, ascending:
An ascending major scale in treble clef, consisting of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and C
EXAMPLE 1. An ascending major scale
In EXAMPLE 1 the whole-steps are labeled with square brackets (and Ws), and the half-steps are labeled with angled brackets (and Hs). A major scale always starts and ends on notes of the same letter name, which should be an octave apart. In EXAMPLE 1 the first note is C and the last note is C. Major scales are named for their first and last note. EXAMPLE 1 depicts a C major scale because its first and last note is a C. Always be sure to include the accidental of the first and last note when you name a scale. EXAMPLE 2 shows this:
A B-flat major scale is shown consisting of the notes B-flat, C, D, E-flat, F, G, A, and B-flat
EXAMPLE 2. A B-flat major scale
The first and last note in EXAMPLE 2 is a B♭. Therefore EXAMPLE 2 is a B♭ (B-flat) major scale. You must say and write the flat, because B is different from the note B♭. Note that the pattern of half- and whole-steps is the same in every major scale, as shown in Examples 1 and 2.