A major scale is usually the first type
of scale the beginning piano player learns. As with any scale, its
formation is a structured sequence of notes that, once learned, can
be used as the foundation to build all other scales in the
same family (in this case, Major).
Let's look at the
C Major scale here:
C D E F G A B C
If we analyze this scale's construction
in terms of whole steps and half steps, we notice the
following:
C to D is a whole step
D to E is a
whole step
E to F is a half step
F to G is a whole step
G to
A is a whole step
A to B is a whole step
B to C is a half
step
The formula we have come
up with is:
whole whole half whole whole whole
half
Using this formula, we can play any major scale on the
piano. All we need to do is to start on the name of the scale we want
to play. Let's choose F Major:
Play an F. Now, follow the same
structured sequence shown above:
a whole step up from F is
G
a whole step up from G is A
a half step up from A is
Bb
a whole step up from Bb is C
a whole step up from C is D
a whole step up from D is E
a
half step up from E is F
We have arrived at our F
Major scale:
F G A Bb C D E F
Again, we can contruct and
play any major scale in this fashion. Go ahead and try some more!
For starters:
G Major
D Major
A Major
Bb
Major
Eb Major
Ab
Major
This gets easier and easier on the piano with
practice!
Back to
Piano Theory
Back Home to
Learning Piano Online
Home 
Major Scales 