Major Scale Spelling Examples

Scales + The Circle of Fourths

  • Learn how major scales are constructed with The Circle of Fourths + Major Scale Video →

    • Practice spelling the 12 major scales using the circle of fourths method.

    • The C# and Cb scales can be easily spelled enharmonically. Spell the key of C and flat every note for the key of Cb and sharp every note for the key of C#.

Spelling Scales Using Keys

A simpler way to spell a scale is by using a key signature. A key signature shows the sharps or flats that are in a scale.
Learn the steps to spelling major scales with keys with the Spelling Major Scale With Keys Video →

 
 

  • Step 1: Is it a Sharp Key or a Flat Key?

    • The key of C has no sharps or flats

    • All Flat keys have a flat after their letter name except for the key of F

    • Every key that doesn’t have a flat next to its name and is not C or F is a sharp key

  • Step 2: Identify how many notes are sharped or flatted in the key

    • FLAT KEYS Every key moving clockwise from C has a flat is added to the key signature. The key of Db, for example, is five keys away from C and has five flats. The key of F is one key away from C and has one flat.

 
 

  • SHARP KEYS Every key moving counterclockwise from C has a sharp added to the key signature. The key of A, for example, is three keys away from C and has three sharps. The key of F# is six keys away from C and has six sharps.

 
 

  • Step 3: Which Notes Are Sharped Or Flatted?

    • The notes that are raised or lowered in a major scale follow a specific order. Flat keys start on B and go up in fourths. B E A D G C F

      • Example: The key of Db has five flats and they are: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, and Gb.

    • Sharp keys start on F and go backwards through the circle of fourths. F C G D A E B

      • Example: The key of B has five sharps and they are: F#, C#, G#, D#, and A#.

    • It is useful to memorize the order B E A D G C F to know which notes are raised or lowered in different keys. Notes in flat keys go from left to right and notes in sharp keys go from right to left.

 
 

  • Step 4: Spell The Scale

    • Follow the musical alphabet to fill in the letters of the scale without accidentals

      • EX. A B C D E F G

    • Apply the accidentals from the key

      • The key of A has three sharps: F#, C#, G# | A B C# D E F# G#

Key Signature Tip: The Rule Of 7

  • A mirror key has the same letter name but uses the opposite accidentals.

    • Ex. Db is the mirror key of D

  • To quickly find how many accidentals are in a mirror key, subtract the number of sharps or flats in the known key from seven.

    • Db has 5 flats | 7 - 5 = 2 | The key of D has 2 sharps

Major Scale Practice

Here are some tips on how to memorize major scales in all keys.

  1. Write Them Down

    • Write down the scales with paper and pencil.

    • Use notes at first to make sure the scales are spelled correctly and slowly take them away.

    • Try using different orders to go through the scales. Write the scales down in these orders going forwards and backwards 10x each.

      • Whole Step | C, D, E, Gb/F#, Ab, Bb, Db/C#, Eb, F, G, A, B/Cb |

      • Half Step | C, C#/Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B/Cb |

      • Tritone Halfstep | C, Gb/F#, G, Db/C#, D, Ab, A, Eb, E, Bb, B/Cb, F, Gb/F#, C |

  2. Key Signature Hand Signs

    • A way to silently show other musicians a key is by using key signature hand signs.

    • Show the number of sharps in a key by holding the corresponding amount of fingers UP

      • Ex. Three fingers help UP represents the key of A major (three sharps)

    • Show the number of flats in a key by pointing the corresponding amount of fingers DOWN

      • Ex. Five fingers pointing DOWN represents the key of Db major (five flats)

    • Use these hand signs to quiz other musicians on their major keys.

  3. FlashCards

  • Play ascending pentascales through the circle of fourths

    • Place your left hand pinky on the first scale degree of each scale

    • Say the scale degree and letter name on the first beat and play the corresponding note on the second beat

    • Move to the next key in the last two beats

    • Repeat for all twelve keys

    Practice Tips:

    • Don’t listen to the notes, use a keyboard that is not turned on. The goal is to play the theory, not use your ear.

    • Pay close attention to the half step between scale degree three and four

    • Start by using the major scale sheet you created as a reference

    • Play only flat keys in one practice session and sharp keys in another