Write 8 noteheads on the staff beginning
and ending with Eb, one note for each line and
space. It is important that each note has a different
letter name, and that no letters are skipped. Leave
space between noteheads to allow room for accidentals
that might need to be added.
2.
Number the scale degrees and mark the location
of where the (diatonic) half steps ought to be located
in a major scale. Remember, all other steps will
be whole steps.
3.
Beginning at the bottom of the scale, check
each step (with a keyboard) to see if the necessary interval
(half or whole step) exists. As you proceed, alter the
upper note of each step as the need arises to produce
the correct interval.
•
Eb to F:
(1-2)
is a whole step; no accidental is necessary
•
F to G:
(2-3)
is a whole step; no accidental is necessary
•
G to A:
(3-4)
is a whole step, but should be a half step.
A half step above G is G#/Ab. Because
a letter name (line/space) cannot be used twice, the fourth
degree of this scale must be Ab. Also, A
is the upper note that must be altered; therefore
the G (third pitch) cannot be changed to G#
in order to create the half step.
•
Ab to B:
(4-5)
is now one whole and one half steps, but
should be only one whole step. The upper pitch B
needs to be lowered a half step to Bb to create
the necessary whole step.
•
Bb to C:
(5-6):
is a whole step; no accidental is necessary
•
C to D:
(6-7)
is a whole step; no accidental is necessary
•
D to Eb:
(7-8)
is a half step; no accidental is necessary
4.
Go back and check (with a keyboard) to see
if the accidentals produced correct intervals throughout
the scale. Major scales contain only sharps or only
flats; there should be no combination of sharps and flats
in the same major scale. Be sure the accidentals
were added to the left of the notehead and on the correct
line or space with the notehead.
