The first major scale we learn is C Major, which acts as our primary model for the sequence of whole tones and semitones. It is also known as the Natural Major Scale.
The sequence of whole tones and semitones is: Whole Tone (or just Tone)-T-S-T-T-T-S.
Major Scales with Sharps
The major scales with sharps, in order, are: G, D, A, E, B, F#, and C#.
- What do we notice about this sequence? Each new scale starts a Perfect 5th higher than the previous one.
Major Scales with Flats
The major scales with flats are: F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb.
- What do we notice about this sequence? Each new scale is a Perfect 4th higher (or a Perfect 5th lower) than the previous one.
The Mirror Effect: If we ignore the accidentals in their names, the order of the flats is exactly the reverse of the order of the sharps!
15 Major Scales
In total, there are 15 major scales:
- 1 Natural scale (C Major)
- 7 Scales with sharps
- 7 Scales with flats
Why 15 scales if there are only 12 pitches?
Even though there are only 12 unique pitches in an octave, we have 15 scales because of Enharmonic Equivalents. These are scales that have different names but sound exactly the same. The three enharmonic pairs are:
- B Major and Cb Major
- F# Major and Gb Major
- C# Major and Db Major