1.3 Major Scales & Key Signatures

The major scale pattern

A major scale follows the step pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H (whole and half steps). C major uses all white keys: C D E F G A B C.

Key signatures

A key signature lists the sharps or flats used throughout a piece, so you don't mark each one. G major has one sharp (F♯); F major has one flat (B♭).

Order of sharps and flats

Sharps appear in the order F C G D A E B; flats in the reverse, B E A D G C F. Each major key adds one more sharp or flat in this order.

Key terms

Major scale

W–W–H–W–W–W–H step pattern

C major

all white keys: C D E F G A B C

Key signature

the sharps/flats used throughout a piece

Order of sharps

F C G D A E B

Order of flats

B E A D G C F (reverse of sharps)

Try an AP-style question

The pattern of whole (W) and half (H) steps in a major scale is…

1. H W W W H W W
2. W W H W W W H
3. W W W H W W H
4. W H W W H W W