Let’s write out seven notes, but this time we’ll start on G: Okay, fasten your seat belt – here we go. Since most music is based on diatonic major keys, you will use it the rest of your musical life! So memorize it. In order to write out the other eleven keys in music, you must know this pattern by heart. Got it? Say it again, 10 times: 2-wholes, 1-half, 3-wholes, 1-half. The pattern of spaces between the notes is Diatonic Major (a seven-tone major scale). This means no sharp (#) or flat (b) is required to make it a half step. Remember, E to F and B to C are the only intervals in music that are “natural” half-steps, as indicated above.

The pattern above shows the larger “whole-step” spaces versus the smaller “half-step” spaces. You just need to understand two things to write out all twelve diatonic major scales:ġ) The space pattern between notes (structure) andĢ) How sharps (#) and flats (b) control those spaces.Īs a review, the key of C is the only key that does not require the use of sharps or flats to become a diatonic major scale begin on C, continue up the 7 letter music alphabet (when you get to G, go to A and continue up):

F major scale A flat major scale