Major and Minor Scales Cheat Sheet

A printable reference covering major scales, natural minor scales, scale degrees, key signatures, and whole-step and half-step patterns for grades 6-10.

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Major and minor scales are the basic note patterns used to build melodies, harmonies, and key signatures in music. This cheat sheet helps students quickly compare the sound, structure, and notation of each scale type. It is useful for reading music, playing instruments, singing in tune, and understanding how keys work. Students in grades 6-10 can use it as a fast reference during practice, theory work, or composition.

Key Facts

A major scale follows the step pattern W W H W W W H, where W means whole step and H means half step.
A natural minor scale follows the step pattern W H W W H W W.
The scale degrees in any major or minor scale are numbered 1 through 8, with degree 8 repeating the tonic one octave higher.
The tonic is scale degree 1 and gives the scale its name, such as C in C major or A in A minor.
A relative minor scale starts on scale degree 6 of its relative major scale and shares the same key signature.
A relative major scale starts on scale degree 3 of its relative natural minor scale and shares the same key signature.
Major scales usually sound bright or stable, while natural minor scales usually sound darker or more serious.
Key signatures show which sharps or flats are used throughout a piece unless accidentals change them.

Vocabulary

Scale: A scale is an ordered pattern of notes that moves step by step within an octave.
Major Scale: A major scale is a seven-note scale with the step pattern W W H W W W H.
Natural Minor Scale: A natural minor scale is a seven-note scale with the step pattern W H W W H W W.
Tonic: The tonic is the first note of a scale and the note that feels like home.
Key Signature: A key signature is the group of sharps or flats at the beginning of a staff that tells which notes are usually altered.
Relative Key: A relative key is a major or minor key that shares the same key signature with another key.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing up the major and natural minor step patterns is wrong because W W H W W W H creates a different sound and note set than W H W W H W W.
Forgetting that the 8th scale degree repeats the tonic is wrong because scale degree 8 is the same letter name as scale degree 1, only one octave higher.
Calling every minor scale the relative minor is wrong because a minor key is relative only when it shares the exact same key signature with a major key.
Skipping letter names when spelling a scale is wrong because each scale must use the musical alphabet in order, such as C D E F G A B C.
Adding sharps or flats one note at a time without checking the key signature is risky because the key signature already tells which notes are altered throughout the scale.

Practice Questions

1 Write the notes of the C major scale using the pattern W W H W W W H.
2 Write the notes of the A natural minor scale using the pattern W H W W H W W.
3 If G major has one sharp, F sharp, what is its relative minor key?
4 Explain why C major and A minor can use the same key signature but still sound different.