Lesson 3 - Learning all twelve western major scales

The western major scale defined

The western major scale has the melodic interval series: 

Root note, tone, tone, semi-tone, tone, tone, tone, semi-tone

Visualise the semi-tone space between the note E and F, and B and C, these will become important landmarks in your visualisation journey.  The interval E-F and B-C are the semi-tones of the C major scale and very easy to visualise. 

The C major scale will become our reference point when discovering modes and dealing with more complicated topics. When trying to understand theory, the C major scale is a great starting point because the scale is easy to visualise. Once you understand the theory, then transposition becomes much easier to apply. 

The western major scale will become your foundation and reference scale to discover all the natural modes and other scales become minor alterations to known modes of this scale. More on modes to come.

The western major scale harmonic interval series

The western major scale may be represented as a harmonic interval series as shown below, having root note 1 and intervals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. As there are twelve notes in an octave, there are twelve western major scales, each having the exact same harmonic interval series of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. All other notes which don't appear in the key signatures have the intervals, -2, -3, -5, +5 and -7.  

The two diagrams below show the key of C and the Key of G. In the key of C, all the notes out of key are black. In the key of G, most black notes are out of key except F# being the 7 interval. The -7 interval is now a white note. Each scale needs to satisfy the melodic interval series of root note, tone, tone, semi-tone, tone, tone, tone, semi-tone. You're able to verify the harmonic interval series is correct by applying the melodic interval series. 

Discovering all the key signatures

Applying the melodic interval series, the harmonic interval series is produced as shown in the diagrams below.

There are observable relationships as we progress the key signatures in this order, C -> G -> D -> A -> E -> B. 

• Each root of each key signature is a fifth interval apart.

• Each key gains a new black note, the new black note gained is always the major seventh. 

Applying the melodic interval series

Applying the melodic interval series, the harmonic interval series is produced as shown in the diagrams below.

There are observable relationships as we progress the key signatures in this order,  C -> F -> Bb -> Eb -> Ab -> Db -> Gb. 

• Each root of each key signature is a fourth interval apart. A fourth is the inversion of a fifth which will be discussed in more detail in a future lesson.

• Each key gains a new black note except Gb, the new black note gained is always the fourth interval. The key of Gb, the fourth interval is the note Cb which is the note B.

Remembering all the sharp and flat notes

It’s beneficial to remember the following

• The key of C has no black notes.

• The key of G has one black note.

• The key of D has two black notes.

• The key of A has three black notes.

• The key of E has four black notes.

• The key of B has all five black notes.

Also

• The key of F has one black note.

• The key of Bb has two black notes.

• The key of Eb has three black notes.

• The key of Ab has four black notes.

• The key of Db has all five black notes.

• The key of Gb also has all five black notes and Cb which is the note B.