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Major Scales and Scale Degrees

Hannah Hill

Hannah Hill

9 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This AP Music Theory study guide covers major scales, including the whole and half step pattern (W-W-H-W-W-W-H), the C Major scale example, and diatonic vs. chromatic notes. It also explains scale degrees (tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading tone, octave) and Roman numeral analysis. Finally, it discusses the circle of fifths, key signatures, and exam tips focusing on key identification, scale construction, and Roman numeral analysis.

AP Music Theory: Major Scales - Your Ultimate Review 🎶

Hey there, future music maestro! Let's make sure you're totally prepped for the AP Music Theory exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the big day. We'll break down everything you need to know about major scales in a way that's easy to understand and remember. Let's dive in!

What are Major Scales?

Major scales are the building blocks of Western music. They usually sound bright and cheerful, but they're used in all kinds of music, not just happy tunes. Think of them as the foundation upon which many melodies and harmonies are built. The major scale is also known as the diatonic scale because of its specific pattern of whole and half steps.

Key Concept

The major scale is defined by its unique pattern of whole and half steps. Understanding this pattern is crucial for building scales in any key.

The Pattern of Whole and Half Steps

The major scale follows this pattern: whole step - whole step - half step - whole step - whole step - whole step - half step. This pattern is consistent no matter what note you start on. You can derive it from the C Major scale, which has no sharps or flats. This pattern creates the characteristic sound of a major scale.

Memory Aid

W-W-H-W-W-W-H: Remember this sequence! It's the magic formula for any major scale. Think of it as a dance: two big steps, a small step, then three big steps, and a final small step.

Visualizing the C Major Scale

Let's look at the C Major scale as an example. It starts and ends on C, spanning an octave (an interval of 8 pitches). Notice that there are no sharps or flats in the C Major scale.

C Major Scale

Caption: The C Major scale, showing the whole and half step intervals.

Diatonic vs. Chromatic

When a note is part of the major scale, it's considered diatonic. Notes that are not part of the scale are called chromatic. For example, in C Major, D is diatonic, while D# is chromatic. This distinction is important when analyzing melodies and harmonies.

Major Scale Degrees

Each note in a major scale has a spec...