> **From theory:** the pattern lives on [/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#scales](/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#scales).

# The major scale

> Interactive page: [`major-scale.html`](major-scale.html). The **Hear** buttons play the notes.

**In C:** [Simple melodies](simple-melodies.md) · Major scale · [How chords are built](building-chords.md) · [Diatonic chords](chord-cheatsheet.md) · [Chord changes](songs.md) · [Melody and chords](melody-and-chords.md) · [Independence](independence.md)

Thumb on middle C, then D, E, F, G, and keep going until C comes back. The pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H lives on [Western theory · Scales](/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#scales). The fingers are on this page.

## What a scale is for

Hear the five-finger shape, then the full octave. Degree numbers are on [Western theory · Scales](/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#scales). The **Hear** buttons play C to G, then C to C.

## Whole steps and half steps

A half step is the next key. A whole step skips one key. The major scale is **W–W–H–W–W–W–H**. Walk it from middle C. The definition is on [Western theory · Scales](/sangeet-yatra/theory/western/#scales).

| Move | What to do | Land on |
|------|------------|---------|
| start | middle C | **C** |
| W | skip one key | **D** |
| W | skip one key | **E** |
| H | the next key | **F** |
| W | skip one key | **G** |
| W | skip one key | **A** |
| W | skip one key | **B** |
| H | the next key | **C** |

The half steps fall on E–F and B–C, so C major is all white keys. The white keys are this scale because you started on C.

## The same pattern from G

G A B C D E **F♯** G. From E, a whole step skips F and lands on F♯, the black key to the right of F. That is G major's one sharp. Any other starting note keeps the same steps and takes a black key wherever a white key would be the wrong size.

## How five fingers play it

**Right hand**, up from middle C. After E, the thumb passes under onto F:

| | C | D | E | F | G | A | B | C |
|--|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finger | **1** | 2 | 3 | **1** | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

**Left hand**, up from the C below middle C. Finger 3 crosses over the thumb onto A, and the thumb arrives on middle C:

| | C | D | E | F | G | A | B | C |
|--|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finger | **5** | 4 | 3 | 2 | **1** | **3** | 2 | 1 |

Coming down, use the same fingers in reverse. Hands separately. The tuck is the hard moment.

## Play C before you collect the others

1. Right hand, one octave, letter names, metronome near 60.
2. The same hand, saying 1 through 7 and 1.
3. Left hand alone, lower C up to middle C.
4. Hands together only once each hand can tuck slowly.

Then G, D, A, E, then F, then the black-key majors. About one new scale a week. The [scales lab](scales-lab.md) shows every fingering later. Longer patterns with no tune in them are on [Exercises](exercises.md). Sources: [Hoffman Academy](https://www.hoffmanacademy.com/blog/piano-scales), [Dennis Frayne](https://www.dennisfrayne.com/blog-dennis-frayne/2020/8/3/scales-sequence-how-to-teach-piano-scales-in-the-right-order).

Next: [How chords are built](building-chords.md).