A major scale
3 sharps: C♯ F♯ G♯ · pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Half steps from A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Tonic | 0 |
| 2 | B | Supertonic | 2 |
| 3 | C♯ | Mediant | 4 |
| 4 | D | Subdominant | 5 |
| 5 | E | Dominant | 7 |
| 6 | F♯ | Submediant | 9 |
| 7 | G♯ | Leading tone | 11 |
About this scale
The major scale is the reference every other scale is compared with. A major’s notes also form the chords I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii° of the key — the backbone of most songs in A.
Relative key: F♯ minor.
Seventh chords in A major scale
Imaj7 Amaj7ii7 Bm7iii7 C♯m7IVmaj7 Dmaj7V7 E7vi7 F♯m7viiø7 G♯m7♭5
Other A scales
A natural minorA harmonic minorA melodic minorA major pentatonicA minor pentatonicA bluesA DorianA Mixolydian
Major scale in other keys
Questions
What are the notes of the A major scale?
A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, and back to A.
How many sharps or flats are in A major scale?
3: C♯, F♯, G♯.
What is the step pattern of the major scale?
W–W–H–W–W–W–H, where W is a whole step (two keys) and H is a half step (the next key). Start that pattern on A to get this scale.
What is the relative minor of A major?
F♯ minor. Both scales use the same notes but start on a different tonic.