Major scale
The major scale (or Ionian mode) is one of the most commonly used musical scales, especially in Western music. It is one of the diatonic scales. Like many musical scales, it is made up of seven notes: the eighth duplicates the first at double its frequency so that it is called a higher octave of the same note (from Latin "octavus", the eighth).
| Modes | I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII |
|---|---|
| Component pitches | |
| C, D, E, F, G, A, B | |
| Qualities | |
| Number of pitch classes | 7 |
| Maximal evenness | |
| Forte number | 7-35 |
| Complement | 5-35 |
The simplest major scale to write is C major, the only major scale not requiring sharps or flats:
The major scale has a central importance in Western music, particularly that of the common practice period and in popular music.
In Carnatic music, it is known as Sankarabharanam. In Hindustani classical music, it is known as Bilaval.
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