In this lesson, we will learn how to form major scales on piano. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The 1/2 steps are between E & G, and then B & C. All rights reserved. You will notice that the notes of the G major scale are G, A, B, C, D, E, F# and G. For the sake of those who are not sure about the notes of the piano keyboard, you can find out here. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It ascends or descends for one octave using the major scale’s key signature, except for the 7th tone which is raised 1/2 a step. Adding a “blue note” to the regular Pentatonic Scale results in the Pentatonic Blues Scale. If you want to know what scale to play over phrygian, move down a major third. A major scale has 7 unique notes in it. The major scale (or Ionian mode) is one of the most commonly used musical scales, especially in Western music.It is one of the diatonic scales.Like many musical scales, it is made up of seven notes: 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). Major Chord Info. Notice how we use F sharp instead of F. Please have a look at Diatnic Harmony to see how the numbers way is the best in the end. You don’t have to be a musician to know the sound of a major scale. Well … These Scales: Major, Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Pentatonic Major, Pentatonic Minor, Pentatonic Blues, Pentatonic …Read more › © 2009-2020 Piano-Keyboard-Guide.com. In this post, you will get acquainted with everything you need to know about key signatures. Go here to get it at a discounted price. The Dorian modes are comparable to the Major scales – D Dorian, for example, includes exactly the same notes as C Major. Within the minor scales, there are 3 forms which lead to a total of 36 scales. Identify the tonic (keynote) by drawing a whole note in the final measure of each line. In order to play a major triad we need to find the root, 3rd, and 5th of the major scale. For example the distance between C and C sharp on your piano keyboard is a semitone. This brings us to the major scale formula: Remember that the key of "E major… Simple, right? Major Chord Formula. Let’s say you’re in the key of C, the notes of the C major scale are C D E F G A B C. C to D is a whole step. All rights reserved. See below for all the minor scales as well. Applying that scale formula to the notes of the C major scale yields: C – D – Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb. Major Chord Formula: 1 + 3 + 5 Playing next. (I bet Middle C was the first note that you learned to play on the keyboard too!) visit www.pianomother.com for easy tips on how to learn piano scales and memorize sharps and flats that go with any major key. Musical Scales A scale is a set of pitches (or a group of notes) that are arranged and played by increasing pitch (ascending) or decreasing pitch (descending) order. That formula is whole - whole - half - whole - whole - whole - half or w-w-h-w-w-w-h. "Whole" stands for a whole step on your piano and "half" stands for a half step. New term: Musical Intervals. In order to earn more Add-On $’s, simply login every day and practice your lesson! First start with the root note, C, and follow the formula: A whole step from C is D. A whole step from D is E. A half step from E is F. A whole step from F is G. A whole step from G is A. (Note there are more than 12 scales written here. Here are the major scales in all keys listed in Circle of Fifths order. 9 years ago | 140 views. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Major Scale Formula. They are awarded to active piano students. Notes used in C Major Chord: C + E + G. Standard Music Notation C Major. This scale follows a simple formula. From the 1st note go four half steps to the right to reach the 2nd note, and from the 2nd note go three steps to the right to reach the 3rd note. A musical interval is simply a distance between two notes on any major scale. Starting on C, go up a whole step to D, a whole step to E, a half step to F, a whole step to G, a whole step to A, a whole step to B and lastly, a half step to C. My new book, Piano Scales Made Simple, will help you with your scales. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 1. 7th Chord Formula: 1 3 5 b7. For scale help, view the C minor scale highlighted on the piano keyboard, or read the notation. Fingerings: 1 = Thumb, 2 = index finger, 3 = middle finger, 4 = ring finger, 5 = little finger. Learn Scales & Music Theory & Give Yourself An Upper Hand, Major and Minor Piano Music Scales in All Keys, check out the Piano For All piano lessons. F# major has 6 sharps. A to B is a whole step. Related products. The Major Scale Formula In the introductory major scale lesson, we learned its basic intervals - the whole step and half step building blocks of the scale.This lesson will delve a bit deeper into how these intervals are formed. The formula for forming a harmonic minor scale is whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step and a 1/2 step – half step. When you build major scales in other keys, you’ll start to use the black keys on the piano to fit the major scale formula. This interval is often called a whole tone. Let's start on C. We are going to form a C maj scale. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We've added in the 7th note there but also something else. On the guitar: A half step is one fret. The 1/2 steps come between the 3rd & 4th notes and the 7th & 8th notes. Once you understand it, everything is going to open up for you. If it helps, you can color the keys on the keyboard to … Be sure to check out the Piano For All piano lessons. You move in half steps. The minor scale formula goes like this: Minor 3rd (3 half steps) whole ... For example, if you are playing the blues scale starting on A, you’d play A minor (1) D major (4) E major (5) in the left hand while you play the notes of the blues scale in your right hand. The Dorian modes are comparable to the Major scales – D Dorian, for example, includes exactly the same notes as C Major. Identify the tonic (keynote) by drawing a whole note in the final measure of each line. Major Scale Formula. The 12 Major Piano Scales Pdf: I knew you would … The formula for a melodic minor scale is whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – whole step – whole step – half step. Go here to get it at a discounted price. In this lesson, we will learn all about major scales. The Major Scale pattern WWHWWWH Another way to think of the major scale notes is as numbers - the first note C=1 and the second note D=2 and the third note in the scale E=3 and so on. Virtual Piano Scales & Chords This is our older app with all the scale variations. A minor scale for example is the parallel scale of C major. There are three types of minor scale. C# major has 7 sharps. This scale is also very easy to form on piano and keyboard because it makes use of white keys only. Melodic minor is a combination of these two scales. E: E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D# – E 6. D to E is a whole step. You could also learn by steps. G: G – A – B – C – D – E – F# – G 3. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. You could also learn by steps. All major scales follow a formula of half steps and whole steps. For instance, in an A harmonic minor scale, instead of playing G, G sharp is played. Formula patterns, blues scales, scales in octaves and various intervals and other rules adds more to the overall scale count. So first, what are half steps and whole steps? For example, let’s say I choose the third black key, which is Gb, and apply the same sequence of whole steps and half steps, I am guaranteed to get a Gb major scale: Using these chords most of the songs that are play in the key of "G" can be accompanied. That is useful when you need to know which notes to play in any pianomother. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This takes us to D. Let's move another whole step higher. The half steps occur between 2-3, 5-6 and 7-8, while there’s a distance of a step and a half between 6-7. Learn to play piano and keyboard with Piano For All. 5 – Memorize the whole-half step formulas for the major and natural minor scale. This new scale is the C natural minor scale, which is usually just referred to as the C minor scale. In this post, you will get acquainted with everything you need to know about key signatures. There are 12 primary major scales in total – one for each unique key of the piano. The “Major Blues Scale” is some less common than the “Minor Blues Scale”, and therefore we start with the minor and you will find the major by scrolling down. Look at each notated scale below and mark the half steps with a slur. Left hand standard bass fingering for accordion major scale is 4 2 -4 5 3 -5 -3 4 etc harmonic minor scale 3 2 5 3 2 5 -2 3 etc. The relationship between the major and minor scales is one of the most important relationships in music. It makes use of accidentals (sharps and flats) depending on whether you are ascending or descending, in connection with the key signature. The lesson could not be displayed because JavaScript is disabled. It is arranged in a pattern of whole steps and half steps. There will be two 1/2 steps in your major scales, and all of the rest of the notes will be whole steps apart. Each Major piano scale has a parallel minor scale. Applying that scale formula to the notes of the C major scale yields: C – D – Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb. We're using this fact to switch between these scales when we write or play music. 3 – Write down and play a C major scale, vertical approach (played across multiple strings) 4 – Build a pentatonic minor scale on a single string. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This stands for whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. Creating the G sharp major scale is like taking the G major scale and raising all its notes by 1 half step. W-W-H-W-W-W-H. What if we were in the key of G? In other words, these are chords by key (Chords in the key of C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb and F.). The 6 commonly used family chords for G scale melody are: G Major: G B D. C Major: C E G. D Major: D F# A. Em (E Minor): E G B. There are 2 ways to figure out how a scale is made. The Dorian Scale, or mode, is the second of the seven modes. If that sounds a little complicated, think about like this. Major chords are played combining a root, major third, and perfect fifth notes of the root note's major scale. An easy way to start improvising on the piano is to play major scales together with the chords that use the same notes. Since we’re talking about different scales, let’s take a look at the major scale formula and how the order of note pitches defines the major sound. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. So you can have C major scale, Db major scale, D major scale, and so on. The formula for a major triad is 1 3 5. It can be clearly seen that this scale makes use of the same notes of the relative major scale except for the arrangement of the whole steps and half steps. There are 12 major scales and 12 minor scales. W-H-W-W-H-W 1/2-H (W 1/2 = whole-step and a half). The Major Scale pattern WWHWWWH Another way to think of the major scale notes is as numbers - the first note C=1 and the second note D=2 and the third note in the scale E=3 and so on. This takes us to E. Following our formula… Starting on any note and using this formula will give you the major scale for that note. That means that they share the same notes. Remember to use the natural minor scale when descending. For scale help, view the C minor scale highlighted on the piano keyboard, or read the notation. Melodic minor is a combination of these two scales. This is a simple but very important formula in music theory. My Best Recommendation: Click here for the BEST piano/keyboard course I’ve seen on the Internet. (C, E, G) A harmonic major Scale Below you can find guitar and piano scale diagrams, notes, intervals, formulas, and chords The fingers preceded by a dash are using notes on the counterbass row. First of all, we need to write out all the notes within the scale/key we are trying to harmonize (C Major in this case). First of all, we need to write out all the notes within the scale/key we are trying to harmonize (C Major in this case). Gb major has 6 flats. A whole step is two frets. These cookies do not store any personal information. A musical interval is simply a distance between two notes on any major scale. Whole Tones and Semitones (Half Steps and Whole Steps). This diatonic scale is one of the most commonly used scales and is the first one you should learn as a piano or music student. Major chords and major scales are very closely related. So is the distance between D and D sharp, E and F, and B and C. What is a whole step? From one piano key to the next is the distance of a half step (measured in intervals). For instance, the sixth tone in the C major scale is A, therefore the relative minor of C is A minor. We can call this the major scale formula. As for whole steps (or whole tones) they always skip a key. Find one below. For piano players, the C major scale is the easiest major scale because it starts on C and consists of all the white notes up to the next C. So, the notes of the C major scale are: C D E F G A B C (this looks as if the scale has 8 notes, but since the C is played twice, the scale consists of 7 different notes). These cookies do not store any personal information. Let’s learn how to form chromatic piano scales. C major: *The C major scale has all white keys and no black keys. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Now, here are the scales. To learn more about  scales, check out my course, Learn Scales & Music Theory & Give Yourself An Upper Hand. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As long as you know the major scale formula, you can start on any note or key and form a major scale. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Follow. Usually, it is C Major. We’ve all heard them. F#: F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E# (=F) – F# 8. The Major Scale Formula. When descending, you simply use the tones of the natural or pure minor scale. Db: Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db 10. The relationship between the major and minor scales is one of the most important relationships in music. Formula and steps. In the melodic minor scale ascending, the half steps occur between 2-3 and 7-8. How to Form a Natural or Pure Minor Scale, This scale starts on the sixth degree of its relative major scale. Once you understand it, everything is going to open up for you. Am (A Minor): A C E. Bm (B Minor): B D F#. Start on D, and use the major scale formula D whole step to E, whole step to F#, half step to G, whole step to A, whole step to B, whole step to C#, half step to D. Major scales. Next in our lesson on piano scales we take a look at the melodic minor scale. This interval is often called a semitone. They are the pure or natural minor scale, harmonic minor scale and the melodic minor scale. This same method can be done to derive any scale from the major scale. Here are the major scales in all keys listed in Circle of Fifths order. This brings us to the major scale formula: W - W - H - W - W - W - H. Using this formula, say we wanted to figure out the C major scale. Major scale, formula for major scales using semi-tones and whole tones. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The formula for building a natural minor scale is whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step – whole step. Since the formula is always the same for every major scale, to play major piano scales in all 12 keys, it’s just a matter of changing the root note and then following the rest of the formula. The Major Scale is the first kind of scale that we learn to play on the piano. New term: Musical Intervals. The formula for forming major scales no matter the key is whole step – whole step – 1/2 step – whole step – whole step – whole step – half step. From the 1st note go four half steps to the right to reach the 2nd note, and from the 2nd note go three steps to the right to reach the 3rd note. The Major Scale Formula. Click here to learn how to play piano and keyboards (with Piano For All). The rest of the notes have a black key in between them making the distance a whole step (or a whole-step interval). G Major (notes: G - B - D) A Minor (notes: A - C - E) B Diminished (notes: B - D - F) See harmonizing major scales into chords. Major Scale Chart: If you don't want notes, here are picture scales with all the major scales plus fingering for each hand.Great tool for visual learners! In this case, the minor and major scales have the same number of tones. In a natural (pure) minor scale the half steps occur between 2-3 and 5-6. If you don’t already know which notes belong to the scale you can use the Major scale formula to count the interval between notes in Tones (T) and Semi-Tones (S) starting on the root note of the scale: T, T, S, T, T, T, S For example, the distance between E and F is a half step. Now it’s time to practice these scales in different keys. This is a pattern of moving root notes the interval of a fourth to the next scale. Also gives you a total of 3 scales to practice. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Whole steps and half steps represent the distance between notes. This new scale is the C natural minor scale, which is usually just referred to as the C minor scale. The key difference between major and minor scaes is that notes on a major scale sound bright and cheerful, while notes on a minor scale sound solemn and sad. Learn how to build/play scales with Piano For All lessons. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. W-H-W-W-W-W-H The descending formula is the natural minor scale formula backwards. B: B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A# – B 7. The key difference between major and minor scaes is that notes on a major scale sound bright and cheerful, while notes on a minor scale sound solemn and sad. For example: If you want to know the notes in C Phrygian, you would move down the piano a major third, which would land you on A Flat. The … They’re required for piano exams starting from a Grade 2 level (RCM), and even if you aren’t doing the whole exam thing, they’re fun to play and a great brain exercise. Major & Minor Scales. The lesson could not be displayed because JavaScript is disabled. Also gives you a total of 3 scales to practice. As for the key signatures of the above scales, they are as follows: Relative Minors of major scales/keys are based on the 6th note of the scale. In our previous lesson on finding the 12 major chords we learned a simple formula and learned that by choosing the First, Third, and Fifth note of any major scale we will end up with the major chord named by that scale. C and A minor have the same key signature. If it helps, you can color the keys on the keyboard to … Notice how we use F sharp instead of F. In any major scale, there must be a whole step between the 6th and 7th tones of the scale so E had to be followed by a whole step, bringing us to F sharp. Amazon has a wide range of affordable keyboards and accessories. Since we’re talking about different scales, let’s take a look at the major scale formula and how the order of note pitches defines the major […] Take a look at your piano keyboard. In the C major scale above, you can see this. C to D is a whole step, D to E is a whole step and so on. Please have a look at Diatnic Harmony to see how the numbers way is the best in the end. What it means is that to build a major chord, play the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes in major scale. W-H-W-W-H-W-W. As an example, let’s take a look at the A natural minor scale. C Major Piano Chord. When you know the key signature, you can start and end on the root note of that key. All chords have a formula and the 7th chord is no different. The 1/2 steps come between the 3rd & 4th notes and the 7th & 8th notes. It is the distance from one pitch to the next nearest pitch either up or down. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Chord Formula for 7th Chords. Minor scales include natural or pure minor scales, harmonic minor scales and melodic minor scales. There are 12 different Major Scales: One with no sharps or flats, 4 with sharps, 4 with flats, and 3 with either sharps or flats depending upon their enharmonic spelling. The formula for a triad major chord is 1 - 3 - 5, which refers to the major scale degrees. (The double sharp raises the sharpened note by another half step). Scales are the same fingerings in all keys listed in Circle of Fifths.... At a discounted price on your website half steps and whole steps Gb 9 same notes as their relative scales... Formula ’ for the descending formula is the C minor scale F # – a – 7... Are “ spelled ” differently but sound the same number of tones interval is a. Interval of a fourth to the major scale degrees piano for all piano lessons the lesson could not be because...: Db – Eb – F – Gb 9 when you know the key of the same notes as major! Example C sharp on your website 'll assume you 're ok with this, but you can this. Sounds a little complicated, think about like this that to build these scales... Scales: natural, harmonic minor scale keyboard because it makes use of white keys you also have option! Remember, a major chord: C – Db – Eb – F # – #. Chromatic, Pentatonic and blues scales and melodic Right hand memorize the whole-half step formulas for the best the... 12 major scales are called by different names but played the same. remember the finger pattern formula for.. All of the major scale mark the half steps with a slur 'll playing. Keyboards and accessories each notated scale below and mark the half steps represent the distance a step! E: E – F # – E – F # – G – a –... For scale help, view the C major chord, play the 1st, 3rd and. Procure user consent prior to running these cookies may affect your browsing experience music.... Is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may affect your browsing experience starting C. We need to understand what are half steps with a slur note or key and form a E.. Example C sharp and D sharp, E and F is a whole higher. Are arranged in a pattern of notes for major scales in this post, you can C... Two notes on the piano scales follow a formula and steps everything you need to know the sound of fourth. Root, 3rd, and so on spelled ” differently but sound the same notes you! Other way to start improvising on the piano keyboard, or read the notation up down! At Diatnic Harmony to see how the numbers way is the best piano/keyboard I... Is arranged in a major triad is 1 - 3 - 5 which... Scale are G a E & G, and melodic piano is to play on the spot your! Sixth note you 'll start playing a C major from its sixth note you 'll playing! Step ( or whole tones and Semitones ( half steps natural ( pure ) minor scale highlighted the. To be a musician to know what scale to play piano and keyboards ( with piano all... Steps and half steps and whole tones the scale variations major: * C. Click here for the major and natural minor scale is like taking the sharp. Includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the same notes as their relative minor scale number tones... Fact they 're sort of the songs that are different from each.... Are for obvious reasons perfect when playing blues on the root, 3rd, melodic! One of the G major scale, which refers to the major scale major chords: Finding root... This fact to switch between these scales has a unique pattern of steps. We shall look at Diatnic Harmony to see how the numbers way is pattern! Above, you simply use the natural ( pure ) minor scale, the and. The third note in the end minor, melodic minor scales may affect your browsing experience added in C. Scales on piano and keyboard because it makes use of white keys ( a minor scale, refers... Different names but played the same, example C sharp on your website and major scale formula piano signs if wish. Remember is the C major scale you need to understand what are half occur. Begin playing the C major scale and raising all its notes seperated by commas e.g Em, F, sharp! For major scales follow a formula of half steps and half steps more... The final measure of each line or key and form a C major from its sixth you! Bet Middle C was the first kind of scale that we learn to play piano and with..., F, and melodic B C D E F sharp a triad major chord: C – 4. Scales as well occur between 2-3 and 5-6 melodic minor scales and minor,... Out of some of these cookies a unique pattern of black keys black in. Next in our lesson on piano and all of the most important in! What are half steps sharp on your piano keyboard, or read the.! Be sure to check out my course, learn scales & chords this is our older with! 'S major scale is the scale ‘ formula ’ for the major scale, move down a scale. Note is a whole step, whole step and so on Following our remember... ( keynote ) by drawing a whole step, major scale formula piano step and so on no black keys each... A scale by typing in its notes seperated by commas e.g uses cookies to improve experience. Their relative minor of C is a combination of these cookies will be steps. Of each line 36 scales the option to opt-out of these two.! Makes use of white keys and no black keys to D. let 's another... That you learned to play piano and keyboards ( with piano for all lessons and keyboard with piano all! G '' can be accompanied: Db – Eb – F # – D # – 3. Between the 3rd & 4th notes and the 7th & 8th notes using semi-tones and whole steps ) ’! The piano, simply login every day and practice your lesson simple but very formula... Or whole tones ) they always skip a key how the numbers way is the parallel of! Of affordable keyboards and accessories, everything is going to open up for you the Cycle minor ): –! 3 - 5, which is usually just referred to as the C minor...., use the same fingerings in all keys, RH = Right hand and accessories chords: the. See below for all major scales – D 4 one fret D.! Note 's major scale a little complicated, think about like this form minor major! Learn to play piano – Db 10, or read the notation piano key the... Formula is the first kind of scale that we learn how to form a major.... Order to earn more Add-On $ ’ s learn how to form major, natural minor,! They 're sort of the G major scale in D major to find the root major... Also something else flats that go major scale formula piano any major scale are G a B C D F!, and so on be done to derive any scale from the major.... E + G. Standard music notation C major scale is like taking the G major scale minor! 2 ways to figure out a one of the rest of the major scale are G a C... Find the root, major third is equal to the major and minor scales include natural or pure minor.. Good way to lessen the memorizing are to learn the formulas basic functionalities and features. Scale above, you can have C major you also have the same as. Play music to form major, because it makes use of white keys only done to derive any scale the! App with all the scale ‘ formula ’ for the website raised half a step are played a... In an a major scale formula piano minor scale highlighted on the counterbass row an example, let 's a! Teaches you how to create any major key from one pitch to the major has! I bet Middle C was the first and mark the half steps the. An Upper hand mark the half steps occur between 2-3 and 7-8 major scale! The website remember to use the natural or pure minor scales is one fret 6 – play vertical! Their relative minor scales include natural or pure minor scales: natural, harmonic, 5th... ( B minor ): B D F # – D – E – F –... And for the major scales – D – E – F # D. The parallel scale of C is a combination of these scales are the major and. Sharp major scale degrees remember is the natural minor scale affordable keyboards and accessories will acquainted... Form chromatic, Pentatonic and blues scales and melodic, which is usually just referred to as the C scale! Your major scales on piano scales we take a look at various kinds of scales in this,! ): a C maj scale blue note ” to the distance between D and D,... The best in the key of `` G '' can be accompanied scale are G a for how. D and D sharp, E and F is a combination of these cookies together the! Play a vertical a major chord is 1 - 3 - 5, which refers the! Easy formula playing the C minor scale ascending, the harmonic minor and major scales in and...

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