Major Scales, Scale Degrees, and Key Signatures

A major scale is a seven-note pattern built from a specific sequence of whole steps (W) and half steps (H): W–W–H–W–W–W–H. Starting on any pitch and following this pattern produces a major scale. The half steps fall between scale degrees 3–4 and 7–8(1̂). Every major scale has the same interval pattern, which gives all major scales their characteristic bright, stable sound.

Each note of the scale has a degree number (1 through 7) and a name: 1̂ = tonic, 2̂ = supertonic, 3̂ = mediant, 4̂ = subdominant, 5̂ = dominant, 6̂ = submediant, 7̂ = leading tone. The tonic is the home pitch; the dominant is the next most structurally important; the leading tone is a half step below the tonic and creates strong pull upward.

A key signature collects all the sharps or flats needed to play a given major scale and places them at the beginning of each staff line. The order of sharps is F C G D A E B; the order of flats is the reverse, B E A D G C F. The key of C major has no sharps or flats. G major has one sharp (F♯); D major has two (F♯, C♯). F major has one flat (B♭); B♭ major has two (B♭, E♭). The pattern of key signatures follows the circle of fifths.