The first thing to know about major scales is that they start and end on the same note but at different octaves. For example, the C major scale starts on a low C and ends on a higher C.
Every major scale uses a pattern of whole and half steps between notes. A half step means moving from one note to its nearest neighbor. A whole step means moving past one note to reach the next. The pattern never changes: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.
The C major scale is the most basic because it uses only white keys on the piano. When you press eight white keys in order starting from C, you play the C major scale. Each white key is one note in the scale.
Other major scales use black keys, too. G major uses one black key. D major uses two black keys. F major uses one black key. Each major scale has its own set of notes, but they all follow the same pattern of steps.
Every major scale uses a pattern of whole and half steps between notes. A half step means moving from one note to its nearest neighbor. A whole step means moving past one note to reach the next. The pattern never changes: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.
The C major scale is the most basic because it uses only white keys on the piano. When you press eight white keys in order starting from C, you play the C major scale. Each white key is one note in the scale.
Other major scales use black keys, too. G major uses one black key. D major uses two black keys. F major uses one black key. Each major scale has its own set of notes, but they all follow the same pattern of steps.
