Major Scale Worksheets

Have a spooky & busy fun time teaching the major and minor scale pitches in this silly Halloween Nursery Rhyme. A wood block “knock” on the door starts playing notes from the scale and then after a BOO! you’ll go back down into the notes of the scale using repeated patterns. Includes: a colorful set of sheets with C major & A minor on one page and long/short sounds on the other. It also has a visual aid (a boomwhacker) that can be used to expand the sound of these notes.

When are Students of Music Theory Ready to “Really” Understand Major Scales

Before students can develop a solid understanding of scales, they must be familiar with how to assign the correct name to each note. They also need to know the principles behind half-step intervals and whole-step intervals.

Below is a link to the handout that explains the intervals required for constructing a Major Scale. The handout’s lower half focuses on minor scale construction and how they differ from each other.

Download the next handout for free. It is a graphic illustration of four common types of scales (Major minor, Minor pentatonic, and Blues scale). You can either distribute it to your students or pin it on your music room wall.

These handouts will be given to students after they are familiar with the concepts behind naming notes and the intervals that make up a whole or half step. You are welcome to give them to your students in the course of music lessons, or to stick them on your classroom wall for reference.

Studying Major Scales with Worksheets

Students of music theory should not cover scales until they have a good understanding of the note naming system and the difference between whole and semi-step intervals.

Here is a sample from the Major and Minor Scale handout. Click the text above to see the full detail. This illustrates the similarities between Major and Minor scales. The minor scale can also be considered a Major Scale, with lower third, sixth, and seventh notes.

Why Learn about Major Scales

Music theory is based on a solid knowledge of how major scales are constructed. Without this understanding, students will have difficulty making a “joined-up” sense of the subject. You will find a wide range of worksheets in our download, with different levels of graphic support (keyboard diagrams, etc.).

It is possible to transform a student group’s functional knowledge of scales, their construction, and to be able to communicate the notes verbally or in notated form for any common scale by using the resources provided in this easy download.

It is possible to address all levels of ability and previous learning by using the same resources in a slightly unique way during class sessions.

Many learners are busy building scales with worksheets that have graphics similar to the one shown above. The learner is required to fill out the letter names at the bottom of each circle. These worksheets are for beginners and do not include scale formulae or keyboard diagrams. However, advanced students may be able to work on sheets that require notation.

This series of worksheets has been designed to challenge students at the appropriate level for their current musical development. It also gives our learners the confidence to tackle this important component of music theory.

What are Scales

This may seem like an odd question, but it is very important. You can define scales as “a set or sounds that are arranged in order by pitch.” If you dig deeper, you’ll find the fact that these pitches are made from “pre-determined intervals (gaps between notes).

Scales can be described as “A collection of sounds that are arranged in an order of pitch and consist of a predetermined sequence or intervals.” It is important to determine what scales you don’t like.

Scales are NOT MUSICAL NOTATION!

These scales are often notated, but it is possible to understand them and how to use them without having to write them down or read them from a musical staff.

It is not meant to suggest musical notation is not valuable. Any meaningful study of music will likely involve notated music in a greater or less degree, but it is worth considering that when you are just beginning to understand scales etc. It might be more beneficial not to teach them scale construction in a “foreign language” (notation).

Perhaps it is more efficient to make our learners confident in (at least) some? Before introducing them to notated musical music, can they be confident in the construction of scales?

Major Scale Worksheets In the Classroom

Below is a selection of scale worksheets that we offer to students at different levels of understanding and ability. Some offer graphic aid in the form keyboard diagrams or guitar necks, while others require that learners consider key signatures and scale formula. These are designed to help novice learners understand the concept of scales.

Below is a description of how an educator might use our worksheets and handouts to guide students through music theory lessons. They will go from having no knowledge of scale construction to being able to note major and minor scales, and key signatures on music manuscript paper without any visual aids.

It is not the intent that the entire journey should be completed in one session. One of the strengths of this approach is that students can learn scales at different rates depending on their abilities and potential.

This material’s ethos is to first develop awareness of the theory underpinning the construction of scales. From this point, the object is “to turn that awareness into a familiarity” with the theory.

Students can expect to know the scale notes and formulas by the time they become familiar with the topic.

A First Music Theory Lesson

Distribute the “notes on the Keyboard” handout. It names the notes according to where they are located on a piano keyboard. It’s a good idea to show the handout (“notes on the keyboard”) to all students. The white notes (natural) can be identified with a single letter name, while the black keys can be identified using one or two letters depending on the situation.

This handout may be simple, but it is very important. Students will often refer to it to find the root cause of problems they have with music theory.

Whole and Half Steps (or tones and semitones)

Once you have given out the handouts, make sure students are aware of the two types of “intervals” involved with the construction of Majors (and minors). scales.

Explain to the group that the half step, also known as a semitone, is a movement of one chromatic step starting at any given note. For example, the white note C is followed by the black note C# or Db.

Once they have mastered this concept, introduce them to the idea that a whole step (also known as a tone), is a pair of chromatic steps. These are either C-D or Bb-D. It is a good idea for students to be familiar with the “rules of major and minor scale construction” once they are comfortable.

Major Scale Construction: “The Rules”

Rule no 1

There’s a strict alphabetic order for the names of the notes in scales. This means that if you have an A scale, then it will have B notes and so on.

Rule no 2

The only letter of the alphabet to appear twice within a scale is the root of it (the first note in the scale). It “bookends” the scale by appearing at its beginning and end.

Rule no 3

It’s generally best not to mix “s” and “b” letters in scales.

Piano Keyboard – Music Theory Worksheet for Distance Learning Music

Ready to print keyboard worksheet to teach your students the basics of the keyboard. Ideal introduction to major scales and key signature. Definitions include: Interval, Half step, Whole step, Flat, Sharp, Natural scale, Minor scale. Key and blank copy are included.Looking for a full music theory curriculum for beginning or second year players in fifth-eightth grade?

Bundle – Beginning Orchestra Sheet Music – Etudes for String Orchestra #1,2,3

BUNDLE – Beginning Orchestra Etudes includes 3 etudes written in unison for string orchestra based on the G and D Major scales. They’re great for beginning or intermediate groups in elementary, middle, or high schools. Congratulations! You have completed the “Beginner Piano Tutorial.” Includes the score for all three etudes and overall score.

Worksheet – Scale of Geologic Time EDITABLE

This worksheet has 23 Earth Science Regents – questions about the scale of geologic time. There are both multiple choice and short answer questions. It’s a great homework sheet or in-class review! Editable Word Document is included. Topics Addressed: Geologic time, placing major events on a time line, comparing the length of geologic time intervals, interpreting graphs, diagrams, and tables. Earth Science Reference Tables,

Major Scales and Key Signatures Frayer Model

These Major Key Signatures Frayer Models will help your students think critically about all fifteen major keys. Students will have more chances to practice and come up with their own fingerings and positions, which is just what they need. The concept of “these” could be left with a substitute teacher, used as bellwork or exit tickets, or even combined with class discussions for deeper learning. EACH FRAYER PREVIEW DOES NOT INCLUDE AN answer key.

Chemistry: Marzano Learning Goals and Scales for Tracking Student Progress

Chemistry: Marzano Learning Goals and Scales for Tracking Student Progress is a great way to track student progress and have learning goals and scales implemented in the Chemistry classroom. You can have students assess their progress through units by checking off the major chemistry goals that they achieved while in lab. I’ll draw an element, I pull out Co. Then my name goes on the back of that element, and it sits on the table.

Establishing the Sequence of Whole and Half Steps in any Major Scale

Let students know about the way all scales follow the same sequence of intervals (wholes and halfs) that can be learned on one scale and then applied to others.

If you’re trying to teach them about music, stress to your students that if they can understand the construction of a C Major Scale then they have the tools to understand the construction of any Major scale as the sequence of intervals is exactly the same.

Major Scales: The Sequence of Musical Intervals

Thinking in terms of whole (W) and half (H) steps that sequence is W-W-H-W-W-W-H (or alternately tone-tone-senitone-tone-tone tone-semitone). This could also be a phone number: 221-2221 – “double-two one-treble two one”.

Distributing the handout with the C Major scale on the keyboard is a great idea. Talk to your students about the handout or the powerpoint demonstration, which you can download right now by clicking this text. Point out the sequence of intervals, and explain how it corresponds with the “W-W–H-W–W–W–H-W–W-H”

Now is the time to present the idea that “if one major scale can be created, then all major scales can be created.” You don’t need to know anything about musical notation to be able to comprehend scales.

You can easily understand the structure of the C major scale by following the above sequence of half-steps and a few simple rules. It is now possible to determine which Major Scale notes you are using the same process.

This point (in future lessons) is the beginning of the programme. You can add more advanced handouts that help with understanding other scales or musical notation. A series of lesson plans, organized into topics, has been created to give you a better understanding of how to use our materials to make teaching easier.

You can also find pages on this website that deal with topics like chord construction, the existence of harmonic concepts, such as the diatonic scheme, etc. Your student group will become more familiar with the principles and fomulae involved in the construction major and minor scales.

You can present them with worksheets that “scale down” the amount graphic assistance available. There are handouts with the scale formulae, but not the keyboard diagrams, until they feel confident in being able to recall any major or minor scale.

FAQ for Worksheet Major Scale

What is the major scale?

The major scale is a set of notes that are organized in an octave. The major scale is a musical scale that is often used in Western music. It is made up of eight notes, and the pattern of whole and half steps repeats on every octave. The major scale is considered to be the most common scale in Western music.

How do write the major scale on a music staff?

The major scale is a seven note scale that can be written on the staff in different ways.

There are two ways to write the major scale on a music staff: The first way is to use two octaves of the C major scale, and the second way is to use one octave of C major and one octave of F major.

The first way uses all white notes and starts with a whole step on C, followed by a half step D, then up to E which is a whole step. The next note would be F which is another whole step, followed by G which is also a whole step. The next note would be A which is also a whole stop, followed by B which is also another whole stop.

What is the difference between a major and a minor scale?

A major scale is made up of a series of whole steps and half steps. A minor scale is made up of a series of whole steps, two half-steps, and one more whole step.

The major scale is the most common type of musical scale in Western music, used in classical, jazz, and many popular songs. The minor scale has a sadder sound than the major scale and is also used in classical music and jazz.

What does the first, third, and fifth note of a major scale have in common?

The first, third, and fifth note of a major scale are the same.

A major scale is made up of eight notes that repeat in the pattern WWHWWWH. The first note of the pattern is always a whole step higher than the last note. This means that the first, third, and fifth notes are all whole steps apart from each other.

What is the interval between the first and second note of a major scale?

The interval between the first and second note of a major scale is called an octave.

The way that this interval is calculated is by doubling the first note. So, if you start with C, then the next C will be two octaves higher than the first one.

What is the interval between every other note in a major scale?

The interval between every other note in a major scale is a semitone.

How many sharps are there in a major scale?

Sharps are the notes that are found in the right hand of a keyboard. They are also known as accidentals. There are 7 sharps in a major scale.

The first sharp is called “F#” and it’s written on the second line of the staff. The second sharp is called “G#” and it’s written on the third line of the staff. The third sharp is called “A#” and it’s written on the fourth line of the staff. The fourth sharp is called “B#” and it’s written on the fifth line of the staff. The fifth sharp is called “C#” and it’s written on the sixth line of the staff. The sixth sharp is called “D#” and it’s written on seventh line of the staff.

How many flats are there in a major scale?

In a major scale, there are 12 flats and 12 sharps. This is because of the key signature that is used in major scales.

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