Page 54 - Music

Major scales
A major scale is a series of eight notes in a sequence of tone, tone, semitone, tone,
tone, tone, semitone abbreviated as “T-T-S-T-T-T-S” . These eight notes form an
octave. An octave can be defined as an interval between the first note and the
eighth note of a scale. The eighth note in a major scale is a repetition of the first
note at a higher or lower pitch. The following examples show how C, G, F and D
major scales are constructed.

(a) The C major scale
In order to construct a C major scale, you need to arrange a series of eight notes
starting from the first note which is C, while following the pattern for constructing
major scales, which is T-T-S-T-T-T-S. The following are simple steps that can be
followed when constructing a C major scale:

(i) Step 1: Write a series of eight notes from note C: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C.

(ii) Step 2: Count the steps between notes by following the pattern for constructing
major scales ( T-T-S-T-T-T-S) as follows:
(a) From C to D = Tone (T)
(b) From D to E = Tone (T)
(c) From E to F = Semitone (S)
(d) From F to G = Tone (T)
(e) From G to A = Tone (T)
(f) From A to B = Tone (T)
(g) From B to C = Semitone (S)
The order of C major scale obtained is C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C.

C major scale does not have sharps or flats. This means, when played on a piano,
only the white keys are used. Figures 3.20 shows the ascending C major scale
constructed on a piano keyboard.

T T S T T T S

Figure 3.20: Ascending C major scale on a piano keyboard

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