1.4 Major Scales and Scale Degrees

Throughout history and up to the current era, different collections of pitches give us distinct types of music.

When we arrange certain pitches in a specific ascending or descending pattern, we call that a scale. Western music is comprised of major and minor scales (hyperlink to Unit 2). There are many other types of scales, sometimes called modes, that can be found in all types of music throughout the world.

How do you create a major scale? Let's first see what it looks like.

This is a C scale. It starts on a C, and ends on a C.

A scale will always end on same note an octave higher (or lower). An octave is an interval of 8 pitches.

The starting pitch is called the tonic. Each pitch is considered to be a degree of the scale, and each scale degree has a special name. For example:

C = 1st scale degree, tonic

D = 2nd scale degree, supertonic

E = 3rd scale degree, mediant

F = 4th scale degree, subdominant

G = 5th scale degree, dominant

A = 6th scale degree, submediant

B = 7th scale degree, subtonic (aka, leading tone)

C (above) = 8th or 1st scale degree

There is a very specific space between each pitch in a major scale. Outside of a scale, the space between any note and a note either immediately up or down from it is a half-step. For example, a C to a C# (sharp) is a half step. Remember the enharmonic equivalents! So a C to a Db (flat) is also just a half step. If you put two half-steps together, you make a whole step.

This is the sequence of all pitches, a half-step apart, starting on C.

C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C

This is called the chromatic scale. It plays all notes possible within the C octave.

Notice that there are two places that keep their principal letter without also having a sharp or flat. Between E and F is only a half-step, and between B and C is also only a half step. There is such thing as an E#, and that is the enharmonic equivalent of an F.

Fb = E

B# = C

Cb = B

The pattern for every major scale, no matter which note you start on is the following pattern: whole-whole-half, whole-whole-whole-half. (wwHwwwH). Memorize this!

In a scale, regardless of flats or sharps, there will always be one pitch for every letter of the musical alphabet. For example, there will always be some type of D (might have a flat or sharp), then an E, then an F, and so forth. The pitch A, Ab, or A# will always follow some type of G.

🦜Polly wants a progress tracker: Can you name the pitches of the E Major scale? How many sharps of flats are there in the scale? Can you sing it back in your vocal range?