MAJOR SCALES

All major scales have the same structure which is defined by the list of major and minor seconds:  M2, M2, m2, M2, M2, M2 and m2. The last minor second leads us to the tonic again, only now it is one octave higher.

We have already said that the seventh scale degree is called the leading-tone or the subtonic.  The terms leading-tone and subtonic are not synonyms. The term leading-tone is used only for scales in which there is the minor second between the seventh scale degree and the octave higher tonic. Such a seventh scale degree creates a strong feeling in a listener that it should be resolved to the octave higher tonic. Thus, it strongly leads to the tonic and this is the reason for its name. We see that major scales have the leading tone.

A term subtonic is used only in scales in which there is the major second between the seventh scale degree and the octave higher tonic. We shall see that natural minor scales have the subtonic.

Examples of major scales

Now when we know the structure of major scales, we can easily write any major scale. To do that, we must apply the structure of major scales, starting from a chosen tonic. The next figure shows the way to write the C major scale by applying the structure of major scales starting from the tonic C.

Figure: The C major scale

Next, we shall show examples of the major scales containing notes with sharps (from one to four sharps) followed by examples of the major scales containing notes with flats (from one to four flats). 

The next figure shows the method to write the G major scale by applying the structure of major scales starting from the tonic G. As we can see, the G major scale differs from the C major scale only by having the note name F# instead of F.

Figure: The G major scale

In the following examples, the intervals from the structure of major scales will not be shown as they are repeating. The next figure shows the D major scale. As we can see, the D major scale differs from the G major scale only by having the note name C# instead of C.

Figure: The D major scale

The next figure shows the A major scale. The A major scale differs from the D major scale only by having the note name G# instead of G.

Figure: The A major scale

The next figure shows the E major scale. This scale differs from the A major scale only by having the note name D# instead of D.

Figure: The E major scale

The next figure shows the F major scale. As we can see, the F major scale differs from the C major scale only by having the note name Bb instead of the B.

Figure: The F major scale

The next figure shows the Bb major scale. It differs from the F major scale only by having the note name Eb instead of E. 

Figure: The Bb major scale

The next figure shows the Eb major scale. It differs from the Bb major scale only by having the note name Ab instead of the note name A.

Figure: The Eb major scale

The next figure shows the Ab major scale. It differs from the Eb major scale only by having the note name Db instead of the note name D.

Figure: The Ab major scale

In this chapter, we have not written all the major scales, but this is enough to start.