Grade 1: Scales
A scale is a special arrangement of notes.
There are 2 main types of scales – major and minor. We will only deal with major scales in this section.
Look at the C major scale below. Pay attention to the intervals between the notes (how far apart they are).
Let us use the same spaces between notes, but start this time on G.
This gives us the G major scale. It starts on G, and uses the major scale pattern of tones and semitones.
Can you add sharps or flats to the notes below to get the major scale for D major and F major?
C major, G major, D major and F major are all “major keys”. When you say a piece of music is written in a major key, it means the music uses the notes from that major scale pattern. If you say a piece of music is in “F major”, it means it uses the notes F – G – A – B-flat – C – D and E.
When a piece of music is written in a certain key, it is sometimes easier to use a key signature. A key signature tells you which notes in the music are always sharps, or which notes in the music are always flats.
The sharp on the stave at the note F tells you all the notes written F are played F-sharp.
The sharp on the stave at the notes F and C tell you all the notes written F are played F-sharp; the notes written C are played C-sharp.
If you want to cancel out a key signature for a bar, you have to use a natural for the note. A natural is written like this:
A note (with a sharp or a flat) that has been cancelled with a natural is only cancelled for that particular bar.
In the same bar, it can be restored by using the sharp or flat the next time it occurs.
In the next bar, it is played as normal (as if having a sharp or a flat).
The key signatures for the major keys, C, G, D and F are shown below.
