2.6 · Major Scale

Melodies in the scale

Three melodies you already know use only the seven notes of C major. Nothing outside the scale is needed.

Three tunes, one scale

Choose a home note, then play the song in different keys. The notes change, but their relationships and scale-degree numbers stay the same.

Home note · sets the key
Three tunes · pick one to play

Each tune walks the same scale its own way.

The notes of the tune · play one above

Every note appears here with its scale degree, and lights as it plays.

Steps and skips

Melodies move in two ways: a step to the very next scale note, or a skip (also called a leap) over one or more of them. Most tunes mostly step; that's what makes them singable.

Quiz

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Listen: is this melody stepping or leaping?

Listen first. Then answer.
Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.Building triads →