(2.8)  Major Scales in All Keys

Now let's look at the notes of the Major scales in all of the 12 possible keys.  They have been arranged in a particular order here, with C Major in the middle, to reveal a very interesting and important pattern.

The fifth note of each scale is the key of the scale on the row below. Notice the effect that this has on the number of sharp and flat notes.

Each scale has one more sharp, or one less flat, than the scale on the row above.  They are the same sharp or flat notes each time, except for the one which changes between rows.

Start with the C Major scale in the middle and work downwards and then upwards to confirm this for yourself.