majorscale

The major scale, or diatonic major scale, is a seven-note (heptatonic) scale that forms the basis of much Western tonal music. It consists of seven distinct pitch classes and an octave, with a specific interval pattern: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. This pattern determines the order of whole and half steps that identifies the scale regardless of the starting pitch.

In its most familiar form, the major scale can be illustrated by C major: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Each degree of the scale has a functional name: tonic (1), supertonic (2), mediant (3), subdominant (4), dominant (5), submediant (6), leading tone (7), returning to the octave (8). The notes of a major scale can be sung with the solfege syllables do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do.

The major scale can be transposed to any pitch, with its key signature defined by sharps or flats. In diatonic harmony built on the major scale, the triads on each scale degree are I major, ii minor, iii minor, IV major, V major, vi minor, and vii diminished. The relative minor shares the same key signature but starts on the sixth scale degree, while the parallel minor uses the same tonic in a minor scale.

Beyond its theoretical role, the major scale underpins melody, harmony, and pedagogy across many musical styles, serving as a foundational reference for tonal music.