Build the major scale from distances

The two close steps have fixed places

W is two semitones; H is one. The close steps fall between degrees 3–4 and 7–8.

Move the starting note and watch what changes

Switch between C, G, and F. The letters change, but the distance pattern remains W W H W W W H.

Major: W W H W W W H

A shape is a consequence of the recipe

Starting on G gives G A B C D E F# G. F must rise to F# so E to F# is a whole step and F# to G is a half step.

A movable fingering works because it preserves those distances. Open strings complicate moving a shape, because an open string does not move with your hand.

Construct G major, one degree at a time

G is supplied. Choose each following written note using the distance recipe. The letters are in degree order; you decide their accidentals.

How many semitones does the full major-scale recipe travel before repeating the tonic?

Takeaways

• The major recipe is W W H W W W H.
• Transpose the distances, not only a memorized list of letters.