Whole steps occur between adjacent notes with the exception of E to F and B to C which are half steps.
To create a Major scale half steps must be fabricated between the 3rd and 4ths degrees and between the 7th and 8th degrees of the scale. This means that between all other notes of the major scale there are whole steps.
If we were to create a major scale beginning on D, we would proceed thusly: From D up to E is a whole step which is what we want between the 1st and 2nd degrees of the scale. E to F is a half step. But since we need a whole step between 2 and 3, it is necessary to raise the F to an F# to create the desired whole step. F# to G is a half step, which is desired between 3 and 4. 4 to 5 should be a whole step and that is what we have between G and A. A to B is a whole step and between 5 and 6 we want a whole step. 6 to 7 should be a whole step, but between B and C there is a half step, so we need to raise the C to a C# in order to make a whole step. Finally, from 7 to 8 should be a half step which is what we have between C# and D.
Click on the music to hear this scale
For drills on scale construction click on http://www.emusictheory.com/drillScales.html (Be sure to go to the Settings menu to choose the type of scale you wish to drill)
The key signatures have a specific order and placement of sharps and flats.
The order of sharps from left to right is: F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# B#
The order of flats from left to right is: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb
The pattern for the flats is consistent (up, down, up, down, up, down)
for all clefs. The pattern for sharps in the treble clef is broken
to avoid placing a sharp on a leger line. This same pattern is used
with bass and alto clefs as well. The tenor clef
deviates from the consistency of the other three clefs. Notice that
the first sharp (F#) in this clef is low and all of the following sharps
alternate up and down.
For practice at identifying key signatures click on http://www.emusictheory.com/drillKeySignatures.html
(For now, choose major keys only under "Settings")
If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu