Major: W W H W W W H
Try C major. Move whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. The half steps happen between E–F and B–C.
WWHWWWH
Unit 5 · Lesson 4 of 12 — IB MYP: Personal and Cultural Expression · Communication
Scales and key signatures
A scale is a pattern of whole and half steps. A key signature tells you which notes are sharp or flat each time you play that scale.
First, hear the patterns
Major and natural minor
W means a whole step (two keys). H means a half step (the next key). Start on the named note and follow the pattern to reach it again.
Natural minor: W H W W H W W
Try A natural minor. Its half steps happen between B–C and E–F. Listen to how the changed pattern sounds.
WHWWHWW
Then, read the signature
Three keys to compare
The symbols beside the clef apply throughout the scale. A sharp raises a note one half step; a flat lowers it one half step. The examples below use proper staff notation.
C major: no symbols
No sharps or flats. Follow the major pattern using C D E F G A B C.
G major: one sharp
The key signature makes every F into F♯. This keeps the major step pattern starting on G.
F major: one flat
The key signature makes every B into B♭. This keeps the major step pattern starting on F.
In this lesson
Learning Targets
- Build a one-octave major scale from any starting note using the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern
- Match a key signature to the sharps or flats it adds throughout a scale
IB MYP connection
Command terms: BUILD · APPLY
BuildApply
Learner Profile · ATL
Knowledgeable · Thinker — Thinking: connect scale and chord knowledge to the melodies and harmonies you build.
Task
Build each major scale on the keyboard using the correct key signature, then apply the same pattern in Noteflight.
Inquiry: What do you listen for to tell whether a scale you built actually sounds major?
Reflect: Which key was hardest to build, and what about its key signature made it tricky?
Now you try
0 of 3 correctBuild 3 answers
All 3 activities are visible. Build each answer on the keyboard to continue.
Write it on a staff
Your Noteflight task
Open Noteflight through MusicFirst in a new tab. Sign in with your usual MusicFirst account if asked, then return to this tab to keep practicing.
Pick two different major keys from the list below (not C, G, or F — those are the examples above). For each one, write a one-octave ascending scale using the correct key signature, then play it back and listen for whether it sounds right.
Musical requirements
- Choose two keys from this list that are not used as examples above: D major, B♭ major, or A major
- Write each scale ascending, one octave, starting and ending on the same letter name
- Use a key signature that matches the key — do not write in individual sharps or flats note by note
- Label each staff with the name of the key