Major Scales

Major Scales
There is a total of 24 major and minor scales and these define the tonality we
use today. The system of the major/minor scales has originated from the modes
used up to the Renaissance Period in music. The origins of the modes used
during the Renaissance go back to the Greek times.

However, the system we use today is called the Well-Tempered system. The
system of equal temperament rose from the modal system. In this system every
interval’s frequency has the same ratio between each pair of notes.

The arrangement of this system is clearly artificial, dividing the twelve tones of
an octave into tones and semitones. This system was introduced by Andreas
Werckmeister in 1691 excellently portrayed by J.S. Bach in “Das
Wohltemperierte Clavier”. These are two books each consisting of 24 preludes
and fugues, one in each major and minor key.

One can find various types of scales:

1. Major 3. Chromatic
2. Minor 4. Whole-Tone

Every major scale has its own relative minor, but for now we will focus on the
first three major scales:

a) C Major c) G Major
b) F Major

What is important to remember in all the major and minor scales is that every
scales follows the same pattern of tones and semitones. Thus we use sharps and
flats on every scale to make sure that the same pattern is followed. The Circle of
Fifths is the relationship among the twelve notes of the chromatic scale, their
key signatures and the major and minor scales. The fifth found in its name is to
indicate the interval of a fifth found between every scale.

© Luke Vella
Major Scales

Key Signatures: Any of several combinations of sharps or flats after the clef
at the beginning of each stave, indicating the key of a
composition

The tone & semitone pattern in every scale is:

It is very important to remember the position of the semitones in a scale which

are on the 3th & 4th degrees and the 7th & 8th degrees. The numbers under each
note refers to the degree of the scale. This means the position of the note within
a scale. The last note of the scale can be called either 8 or 1. The former refers
to the same note but an octave lower, whilst the latter implies that it is the same
note.

a) C Major Scale

This is the easiest scale of all, because there are no sharps or flats involved in its
key signature and is built on the note C.

© Luke Vella
Major Scales

The first note of the scale is called the root since it is the basis of the scale and
the fifth of the scale is called the dominant since it is the next important chord
to the root.

b) F Major Scale

It is the first scale to use one flat in its key signature – the B flat.

The same tone-semitone pattern can be found within this scale.

c) G Major Scale

It is the first scale to use one sharp in its key signature – the G sharp.

The same tone-semitone pattern can be found within this scale.

© Luke Vella