Practice constructing major and minor scales, recognizing whole-step and half-step patterns, and understanding how scales shape musical sound.

Read each problem carefully. Show your work in the space provided, using note names, accidentals, or brief explanations as needed.

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Identifying, building, and comparing major and minor scales

Music - Grade 9-12

Instructions Read each problem carefully. Show your work in the space provided, using note names, accidentals, or brief explanations as needed.
  1. 1
    Piano keyboard diagram showing a major scale pattern with larger and smaller step arcs.

    Write the whole-step and half-step pattern for a major scale. Use W for whole step and H for half step.

  2. 2
    Piano keyboard with the D major scale keys highlighted.

    Build a D major scale. Write all eight notes, including the repeated tonic at the top.

  3. 3
    Piano keyboard with the A natural minor scale keys highlighted.

    Build an A natural minor scale. Write all eight notes, including the repeated tonic at the top.

  4. 4
    Piano keyboard diagram showing a natural minor scale pattern with larger and smaller step arcs.

    Write the whole-step and half-step pattern for a natural minor scale. Use W for whole step and H for half step.

  5. 5

    Identify the relative minor of E-flat major. Explain how you found it.

  6. 6

    Identify the relative major of F-sharp minor. Explain how you found it.

  7. 7
    Piano keyboard with the G major scale keys highlighted.

    Build a G major scale and name its key signature.

  8. 8
    Piano keyboard with the E natural minor scale keys highlighted.

    Build an E natural minor scale and name its key signature.

  9. 9
    Two pitch circles showing the same notes with different tonal centers emphasized.

    Compare C major and A natural minor. They use the same notes. Explain why they sound different.

  10. 10
    Piano keyboard with the F major scale keys highlighted.

    A scale contains the notes F, G, A, B-flat, C, D, E, F. Identify the scale and explain your answer.

  11. 11
    Piano keyboard with the D natural minor scale keys highlighted.

    A scale contains the notes D, E, F, G, A, B-flat, C, D. Identify the scale and explain your answer.

  12. 12
    Two piano keyboards comparing C major and C natural minor scale keys.

    Explain the difference between parallel major and minor scales using C major and C natural minor as examples.

LivePhysics™.com Music - Grade 9-12