What Is The Major Scale?

(This article uses the musical alphabet and finger numbers, you may find the Musical Alphabet and Piano Fingering Number System helpful.)

Scales are sets of notes that work together to provide the desired blend of harmony and dissonance. In this case, harmony is defined as notes that sound good together and dissonance is defined as notes that clash. Keep in mind that harmony and dissonance vary from person to person. Some scales are more widely used than others. Much of western music focuses on the use of the major scale.

C Major Scale – C, D, E, F, G, A, B

F Major Scale – F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E

Exercises:

1. Practice the C major scale with your right hand using the following fingers (the dash means that you will need to cross your thumb (1) beneath your middle finger (3).

C D E F G A B C
RH 1 2 3 - 1 2 3 4 5
(RH = right hand)

Practice this up and down several times until you can play it evenly. It may take a week to get comfortable with the C major scale.

2. Practice the F major scale with your right hand using the following fingers The fingering for the F major scale is different than that of the C major scale. (the dash means that you will need to cross your thumb (1) beneath your ring finger (4):

F G A Bb C D E F
RH 1 2 3 4 - 1 2 3 4

Practice this up and down several times until you can play it evenly. It may take a week to get comfortable with the F major scale.

You may now be interested in the answer to, "What are Major and Minor chords?" If you already know these chords, you may be interested in Major Scale Harmony.

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