How to Build Any Major Scale from Scratch

Learn the major scale formula (W-W-H-W-W-W-H), apply it to any starting note, and master all 12 major keys — the essential first skill in music theory.

The Major Scale Formula

All major scales follow the same pattern: Whole - Whole - Half - Whole - Whole - Whole - Half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). Memorize this pattern and you can build a major scale starting on any note.

Building C Major

Start on C. Whole step to D. Whole step to E. Half step to F. Whole step to G. Whole step to A. Whole step to B. Half step back to C. C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C — all white keys, no sharps or flats.

Building G Major (1 Sharp)

Start on G. W to A. W to B. H to C. W to D. W to E. W to F#. H back to G. Notice that to maintain the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern, we need F# instead of F — because E to F is only a half step, but we need a whole step between degrees 6 and 7.

Practice: Build All 12

Write out each major scale on staff paper, checking the key signature against a reference. The more you write them out by hand, the more the pattern becomes automatic.