The major scale

The pattern

A major scale has seven different notes. Steps between them follow this pattern of whole tones (W) and semitones (H):

W W H W W W H

Starting on C and following it gives C D E F G A B, only white keys. That is why C major has no sharps or flats.

Other keys

Use the same pattern from another note. Starting on G, the pattern needs F♯ to keep the half step before the top note: G A B C D E F♯. G major has one sharp.

Scale degrees

Each note has a number and a name:

1. Tonic (home)
2. Supertonic
3. Mediant
4. Subdominant
5. Dominant
6. Submediant
7. Leading tone (a semitone below the tonic)

The tonic of D major is D. The tonic is where the music feels at rest.