3.4 | The 12 Major SCales
There will be a video overview of each chapter that demonstrates how to complete each section with a multicamera view.
Learn
Spelling Scales Using The Circle Of Fourths
Learn how major scales are constructed with The Circle of Fourths + Major Scale Video →.
Practice spelling the twelve 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#.
You can check your work with This Chart →.
Spelling Scales Using Key Signatures
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 without a flat next to its name and that is not C or F is a sharp key.
Step 2: How Many Notes are Sharped or Flatted?
FLAT KEYS. Every key moving clockwise from C has a flat added to the key signature. The key of Db, for example, is five keys away from C and therefore 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: 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: 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 | So, the key of D has 2 sharps.
Memorization
tips for memorizing major scales in all keys.
Write Down The Scales
Write down the scales with paper and pencil.
Use a reference at first to make sure the scales are spelled correctly. Then, slowly take the references away.
Try spelling all of the scales using different orders. 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 |
Key Signature Hand Signs
Silently communicate different scales 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).
Quiz other musicians on their major keys using these hand signs.
FlashCards
Here are flashcards for Key Signatures →.
Here are flashcards for Major Scales →.
Here are flashcards for Major Pentascales →.
Practice
Ascending Pentascales
Play ascending pentascales through the circle of fourths.
Place your left hand on the C major pentascale.
Say the letter name of the note while playing the ascending pentascales.
Move to the next key in the last three beats.
Repeat for all twelve keys.
Challenge
Play the pentascales with both hands.
Play the notes as eighth notes and ascend and descend the pentascale.
Practice Tips:
Place all your fingers in the correct position before playing.
Move your hand farther up the keyboard for scales that use more black keys.
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 degrees 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.
Application
Practice playing the bass notes of the harmonic rhythm to these popular songs. The songs that are bolded open a Noteflight score that allows you to play along with the original recording with a MIDI keyboard.
Pick a progression from the Pop Song Progression Page →.
Play through the Bass Position Workout using the Noteflight score below.
Ear Training
Practice hearing the roots of the I, IV, V, and vi chords with this Drum + Drone Video.
Test your ability to hear and sing the bass notes for the I, IV, V, and vi chords using Chrome Music Lab.
Sing with the bass line using the practice links.
Practice singing the bass line with the chords only using the assessment links.
Open up Chrome Music Lab by clicking on Edit in Songmaker.
Select the mic tool.
Test your ability to outline the bass line to the progressions.
IV I V I Practice | IV I V I Assessment The solfege syllables are FA DO SOL Do
I IV V vi Practice | I IV V vi Assessment The solfege syllables are DO FA SOL LA
I IV vi V Practice | I IV vi V Assessment The solfege syllables are DO FA LA SOL
“MASTERY IS BEING ABLE TO DO SOMETHING AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT WITHOUT HAVING TO THINK ABOUT IT AND WITHOUT MAKING ANY MISTAKES.”
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