Major scale: notes in every key, formula and sound
The major scale follows whole and half steps W-W-H-W-W-W-H. Play it in any key, see the notes of all 12 major scales, and spot the wrong note.
The major scale is seven notes built with the step pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). C major is C D E F G A B C, the white keys of a piano. It is the do-re-mi scale and sounds bright and complete.
Listen: C major scale
C D E F G A B C
What is the formula of the major scale?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 7 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| Step pattern | W-W-H-W-W-W-H |
| Relative minor | starts on the 6th note (A minor for C major) |
What does the major scale sound like?
Bright, familiar and resolved: the scale behind most nursery rhymes, hymns and pop melodies. Singing it from do to the next do feels like going up a staircase that arrives home.
How to recognise it by ear
- The two half steps sit between degrees 3-4 (mi-fa) and 7-8 (ti-do). Hear them and you know it is major.
- The last step, ti to do, is the strongest pull in music: stop on ti and your ear demands do.
- Every major scale has the same sound; only the starting note changes. That is why ear training uses do-re-mi, not letter names.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a major scale with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The major scale in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C D E F G A B | |
| G major | G A B C D E F♯ | |
| D major | D E F♯ G A B C♯ | |
| A major | A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ | |
| E major | E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ | |
| B major | B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ | |
| F♯ major | F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ | |
| D♭ major | D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C | |
| A♭ major | A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G | |
| E♭ major | E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D | |
| B♭ major | B♭ C D E♭ F G A | |
| F major | F G A B♭ C D E |
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the major scale?
Whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. In semitones from the tonic: 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12.
What are the notes of the G major scale?
G A B C D E F sharp G. G major has one sharp, F sharp.
Which major scale has no sharps or flats?
C major: C D E F G A B. Every other major scale needs at least one sharp or flat to keep the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern.
What is the relative minor of a major scale?
The minor scale that starts on its 6th note and uses the same notes: A minor for C major, E minor for G major.