NASDA Musicianship Notes

by Sue McLachlan & Hamish Oliver

 Writing Major Scales
Here are the two methods for writing out a major scale:

Pattern Method Key Signature Method

• Write the first note • Write out all notes as naturals
• Write all other notes using the • From your knowledge of Key
pattern T-T-S-T-T-T-S Signatures, fill in any necessary
accidentals (or use a key signature)

Checklist - for both methods

• Write an entire octave (C to C, Eb to Eb).
• No missed letter names.
• No repeated letter names.
• Any accidentals should be.
a) in FRONT of the notes (on the left),
b) on the appropriate line or in the appropriate space.
• If you!re writing a Tones/Semitone pattern under the notes, write the T and S between the
notes - they are distances between two notes.

Note that you are often asked to write either "using a key signature! or "using accidentals!