Major scales are generally seen (In western music) as the most basic form of scales. In fact, any of the numerous other scales found in jazz, classical and other similarly complex styles are more or less based on this scale, often making it among the first things that musicians learn in their early days of musicianship.
Also known by its more technical name of the Ionian scale, a scale in a major key is the first of the diatonic scales. A diatonic scale is a sequence of eight notes separated by five whole steps and two half steps, in which a half step come after either three or two whole steps.
A major scale is comprised of two whole steps, a half step, three more whole steps and a final half step. Minor scales are also considered diatonic, as are the other five ‘church modes,’ which are largely unused as they were developed prior to the concept of musical key.
How do I play the Scale?
One of the easiest ways to demonstrate a this scale is to do so in the key of C on a piano, as this scale does not require the use of any sharps or flats. As this does not require the player to deviate from the white keys, C major is often considered the simplest and most basic scale. While a C major scale is made up of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B, it can also be thought of in solfege, a method used by singers to help them more easily read and practice music. In solfege, C major can be represented by the syllables of Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, and Ti. This is immediately recognizable to some as the basis for the song ‘Do-Re-Mi’ from the film and musical, The Sound of Music.
Of course, once you understand the structure of the scale in C major, you can now apply it to a different root note* and you’ll have the scale for that tone. For instance, to play the scale of F Major consists of F, G, A, B flat, C, D, and E.
*To clarify, the Root note is the note that the scale is based upon. Ask yourself, what is the main note of the chord?
What does the scale sound like?
Melodies produced in this scale are often described as being ‘happy’ and ‘brighter’ than those created out of minor or diminished scales. For example, the melody of ‘America the Beautiful,’ ‘Joy to the World,’ and Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ are all based around the major. While most modern music does not restrict itself to a single key and can vary between major and minor scales, it still features prominently in a number of famous songs. For instance, ‘Louie Louie’ by the Kingsmen, ‘Take On Me’ by A-Ha and ‘Space Oddity’ by David Bowie are strongly indebted to the major scale.
Below you’ll find a great book to help you further understand Major and Minor Scales. As well as their related chords: