The major scale

The MAJOR SCALE is the do-re-mi ladder — seven notes that western music is built on.

Recipe in steps: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half. Start on any key, apply the recipe, and you get its major scale.

C major uses only white keys — that is why it is taught first. Every other root needs at least one black key to keep the step pattern intact.

Play it slowly, left to right, and say the degree numbers 1–7 as you go. The numbers matter more than the letter names later on.

W W H W W W H

C major: all white keys, C to B.

Practise this in the trainer — it opens with this lesson the first time the concept comes up.