{{Short description|Musical scale comprising seven notes}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2012}} {{Infobox musical scale |name=Major scale|first_pitch=[[unison (music)|C]]|second_pitch=[[major second|D]]|third_pitch=[[major third|E]]|fourth_pitch=[[perfect fourth|F]]|fifth_pitch=[[perfect fifth|G]]|sixth_pitch=[[major sixth|A]]|seventh_pitch=[[major seventh|B]] |pitch_classes=7 |Forte number=7–35 |complement=5–35|qualities=[[Maximal evenness]] }} [[File:Major scale1.jpg|thumb|Major scales beginning with white keys]] A '''major scale''' is a sequence of [[musical note]]s containing a [[major triad]] on the [[Tonic (music)|tonic]].

Most commonly, the term "major scale" refers to the '''natural major scale''' (or [[Ionian mode]]), which is one of the most commonly used [[Scale (music)|musical scales]], especially in [[Western culture#Music|Western music]]. It is one of the [[diatonic scale]]s. Like many musical scales, it is made up of seven [[Musical note|note]]s: the eighth duplicates the first at double its [[frequency]] so that it is called a higher [[octave]] of the same note (from Latin "octavus", the eighth). The notes C–D–E–F–G–A–B form a prototypical major scale.

Some lesser-used scales are also sometimes called major scales, such as the '''harmonic major scale''', the '''melodic major scale''', and the [[Lydian mode|Lydian]] and [[Mixolydian mode|Mixolydian]] diatonic modes.

==Natural major scale==

The natural major scale is the diatonic [[Ionian mode]].

The simplest major scale to [[Musical notation#Modern musical notation|write]] is [[C major]], the only major scale not requiring [[Sharp (music)|sharp]]s or [[Flat (music)|flat]]s. It can be played on the white keys of the piano:

{{block indent|<score sound="1"> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \time 7/4 c4 d e f g a b c } } </score>}}

The major scale has a central importance in Western music, particularly that of the [[common practice period]] and in [[popular music]].

In [[Carnatic music]], it is known as ''[[Sankarabharanam (raga)|Sankarabharanam]]''. In [[Hindustani classical music]], it is known as ''[[Bilaval]]''.

[[Image:C major scale.png|thumb|The pattern of whole and half steps characteristic of a major scale]]

The sequence of [[Interval (music)|intervals]] between the notes of a major scale is:

: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half

where "whole" stands for a [[Major second|whole tone]] (a red u-shaped curve in the figure), and "half" stands for a [[semitone]] (a red angled line in the figure).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/art/major-scale|title=Major scale &#124; music}}</ref>

[[major second | Whole steps]] and [[semitones | half steps]] are explained mathematically in a related article, [[Twelfth root of two]]. Notably, in terms of the sound frequency ratio in [[equal temperament]], a whole tone has twice the sound frequency ratio of a semitone and an [[octave]] has twelve half steps (semitones) spaced equally. The sound frequency doubles for corresponding notes from one octave to the next. The ratio is 3/2 = 1.5 for a [[perfect fifth]], for example from C to G on a major scale, and 5/4 = 1.25 for a [[major third]], for example from C to E.

A major scale may be seen as two identical [[tetrachord]]s separated by a whole tone. Each tetrachord consists of two whole tones followed by a [[semitone]] (i.e. whole, whole, half).

The major scale is [[Maximal evenness|maximally even]].

=== Scale degrees === {{block indent|<score sound="1"> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \time 15/4 c4-1 d-2 e-3 f-4 g-5 a-6 b-7 c-8 b-7 a-6 g-5 f-4 e-3 d-2 c-1 } } </score>}}

The [[Degree (music)|scale degrees]] are named:

*1st: [[Tonic (music)|Tonic]] *2nd: [[Supertonic]] *3rd: [[Mediant]] *4th: [[Subdominant]] *5th: [[Dominant (music)|Dominant]] *6th: [[Submediant]] *7th: [[Leading-tone|Leading tone]] *8th: [[Tonic (music)|Tonic]]

=== Harmony === {{block indent|<score sound="1"> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \time 7/1 <c e g>1_\markup I <d f a>_\markup ii <e g b>_\markup iii <f a c>_\markup IV <g b d>_\markup V <a c e>_\markup vi <b d f>_\markup vii° } } </score>}}

The triads built on each scale degree follow a distinct pattern. The [[roman numeral analysis]] is shown in parentheses. * 1st: [[major triad]] (I) * 2nd: [[minor triad]] (ii) * 3rd: minor triad (iii) * 4th: major triad (IV) * 5th: major triad (V) * 6th: minor triad (vi) * 7th: [[diminished triad]] (vii<sup>o</sup>)

{{block indent|<score sound="1"> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \time 7/1 <c e g b>1_\markup IM7 <d f a c>_\markup ii7 <e g b d>_\markup iii7 <f a c e>_\markup IVM7 <g b d f>_\markup V7 <a c e g>_\markup vi7 <b d f a>_\markup viiø7}} </score>}}

The seventh chords built on each scale degree follow a distinct pattern. The [[roman numeral analysis]] is shown in parentheses. * 1st: [[major seventh chord]] (IM<sup>7</sup>) * 2nd: [[minor seventh chord]] (ii<sup>7</sup>) * 3rd: minor seventh chord (iii<sup>7</sup>) * 4th: major seventh chord (IVM<sup>7</sup>) * 5th: [[dominant seventh chord]] (V<sup>7</sup>) * 6th: minor seventh chord (vi<sup>7</sup>) * 7th: [[half-diminished seventh chord]] (vii<sup>ø7</sup>)

==Relationship to major keys== If a piece of music (or part of a piece of music) is in a [[major key]], then the notes in the corresponding major scale are considered ''diatonic'' notes, while the notes ''outside'' the major scale are considered [[Chromaticism|''chromatic'' notes]]. Moreover, the [[key signature]] of the piece of music (or section) will generally reflect the [[Accidental (music)|accidentals]] in the corresponding major scale.

For instance, if a piece of music is in E{{music|flat}} major, then the seven pitches in the E{{music|flat}} major scale (E{{music|flat}}, F, G, A{{music|flat}}, B{{music|flat}}, C and D) are considered diatonic pitches, and the other five pitches (E{{music|natural}}, F{{music|sharp}}/G{{music|flat}}, A{{music|natural}}, B{{music|natural}}, and C{{music|sharp}}/D{{music|flat}}) are considered chromatic pitches. In this case, the key signature will have three flats (B{{music|flat}}, E{{music|flat}}, and A{{music|flat}}).

The figure below shows all 12 relative major and minor keys, with major keys on the outside and minor keys on the inside arranged around the [[circle of fifths]].

{{circle of fifths|state=expanded}}

The numbers inside the circle show the number of sharps or flats in the key signature, with the sharp keys going clockwise, and the flat keys counterclockwise from C major (which has no sharps or flats.) The circular arrangement depends on [[enharmonic]] relationships in the circle, usually reckoned at six sharps or flats for the major keys of F{{music|sharp}} = G{{music|flat}} and D{{music|sharp}} = E{{music|flat}} for minor keys.<ref name="Drabkin">{{cite book|title=The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians|last=Drabkin|first=William|publisher=Macmillan Publishers|year=2001|editor1-last=Sadie|editor1-first=Stanley|editor1-link=Stanley Sadie|edition=2nd|location=London|chapter=Circle of Fifths|editor2-last=Tyrrell|editor2-first=John|editor2-link=John Tyrrell (professor of music)}}</ref> Seven sharps or flats make major keys (C{{music|sharp}} major or C{{music|flat}} major) that may be more conveniently spelled with five flats or sharps (as D{{music|flat}} major or B major).

==Broader sense== Like the [[minor scale]] has natural minor scale, harmonic minor scale, and melodic minor scale, the major scale also has natural major scale, harmonic major scale, and melodic major scale. In the harmonic (major or minor) scale, the 6th tone to the 7th tone is an [[augmented second]], and in the melodic (major or minor) scale, the ascending and descending are different: the ascending is raised by one semitone than the descending.

Scales with a major tonic triad are often referred to as major. Besides the Ionian mode, there are two more major diatonic modes: the [[Lydian mode]] and the [[Mixolydian mode]].<ref>de Clercq, Trevor. ''The Practice of Popular Music: Understanding Harmony, Rhythm, Melody, and Form in Commercial Songwriting''. Taylor & Francis, 2024. 334.</ref><ref name=Prout>[[Ebenezer Prout|Prout, Ebenezer]]. ''[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Harmony/JoC0AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA81 Harmony: Its Theory and Practice]''. London: Augener, 1903.</ref>{{rp|314}}

The [[harmonic major scale]]<ref>{{cite book |first = Nikolai |last = Rimsky-Korsakov |title = Practical Manual of Harmony |publisher = Carl Fischer, LLC |year = 2005 |isbn = 978-0-8258-5699-0 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first = Dmitri |last = Tymoczko |year = 2011 |title = A Geometry of Music |location = New York |publisher = Oxford |chapter = Chapter 4 }}</ref> has a minor sixth. It differs from the [[harmonic minor scale]] only by raising the third degree.

{{block indent|<score sound="1"> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \time 7/4 c4^\markup { Harmonic major scale } d e f g aes b c } } </score>}}

The melodic major scale is the combined scale that goes as Ionian ascending and as [[Aeolian dominant scale|Aeolian dominant]] descending. It differs from [[melodic minor scale]] only by raising the third degree to a major third.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicstudents.com/archive01/093.html |title=Musicstudents.com - Free Sheet Music and Play-Along Soundfiles |access-date=2014-03-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311205933/http://www.musicstudents.com/archive01/093.html |archive-date=2014-03-11 }}</ref> {{block indent|<score sound="1"> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \time 7/4 c4^\markup { Melodic major (ascending and descending) } d e f g a b c bes aes g f e d c } } </score>}}

The [[double harmonic major scale]]<ref>{{cite book |last = Stetina |first = Troy |year = 1999 |title = The Ultimate Scale Book |page = 59 |publisher = Hal Leonard |isbn = 0-7935-9788-9 }}</ref> has a minor second and a minor sixth. It is the fifth mode of the [[Hungarian minor scale]].

{{block indent|<score sound="1"> { \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \time 7/4 c4^\markup { Double harmonic major scale } des e f g aes b c } } </score>}}

Gapped scales can also be considered incomplete major or minor scales. The [[pentatonic scale]] can appear in a major guise.<ref>Benward, Bruce and Marilyn Nadine Saker. ''[https://archive.org/details/musicintheorypra0000benw_s4e5/page/40/mode/1up Music: In Theory and Practice]'', vol. I. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2003. 40f.</ref>

== Other notations and usage == When expressing the names of major scale keys as abbreviations, the alphabet of the corresponding tonic note name can be written in upper case to indicate only the tonic note name. For example, when expressing the English notation of [[C major]], It can be abbreviated as ''''[[C major|C]]'''<nowiki/>'. Plus, when expressing the names of [[minor scale]] keys as abbreviations, the Roman alphabet of the corresponding tonic note is sometimes lower case to indicate only the tonic note name. For example, when expressing the English notation of [[A minor]], It is abbreviated as ''''[[A minor|a]]'''<nowiki/>'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Sep 2024 |title=StackExchange - Questions - Capitalization of key names (C Minor vs. c minor) |url=https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/877/capitalization-of-key-names-c-minor-vs-c-minor}}</ref>

==See also== * [[Ionian mode]] * [[Major and minor]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== {{refbegin}} * {{cite web |last = Bower |first = Michael |year = 2007 |url = http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/Mike/capmusic/Key%20Signatures/key_signatures.htm |title = All about Key Signatures |location = Modesto, CA |publisher = Capistrano School (K–12) website |access-date = 17 March 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100311182612/http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/mike/capmusic/key%20signatures/key_signatures.htm |archive-date = 11 March 2010 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }} * {{cite book |last = Jones |first = George Thaddeus |year = 1974 |title = Music Theory: The Fundamental Concepts of Tonal Music Including Notation, Terminology, and Harmony |series = Barnes & Noble Outline Series 137 |location = New York |publisher = [[Barnes & Noble]] |isbn = 9780064601375 |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/musictheory00jone }} * {{cite book |last = Kennedy |first = Michael |year = 1994 |chapter = Key-Signature |title = Oxford Dictionary of Music |edition = 2nd |editor-first = Joyce |editor-last = Bourne |location = Oxford |publisher = Oxford University Press |isbn = 0-19-869162-9 }} *{{cite book |last = Yamaguchi |first = Masaya |year = 2006 |title = The Complete Thesaurus of Musical Scales |edition = Revised |location = New York |publisher = Masaya Music Services |isbn = 0-9676353-0-6 }} {{refend}}

==External links== * [http://www.youraccompanist.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=104 Listen to and download harmonised Major scale piano MP3s] * [https://www.apronus.com/music/lessons/major-scales Major scales explained on a virtual piano] * [https://muted.io/major-minor-scales/ Interactive Piano Reference to Major Scales] * [https://musiktheorie.volker-schubert.org/History%20of%20the%20Major%20Scale.html History of the Major Scale] *[https://www.mindfulharmony.app/learn/secrets-of-major "Secrets of Major Keys You Need to Know"], Sebastian Karika, ''Mindful Harmony''. {{Circle of fifths}} {{scales}} {{Modes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Major Scale}} [[Category:Major scales| ]] [[Category:Heptatonic scales]] [[Category:Modes (music)]]