Seconds, Tetrachords,

and the Major Scale

A scale is a theoretical construct consisting of eight pitches, in consecutive, ascending seconds. The interval of
a Second is comprised of two notes on an adjacent line and space. Whether it is Minor, Major, or Augmented
depends on how many half-steps. A Minor Second, the smallest interval on the Piano Keyboard, is the span of
1 half-step, a Major Second is the span of 2 half-steps, an Augmented Second is the span of 3 half-steps.
Seconds and other intervals will be addressed in more detail in a following unit.

Minor Second Major Second Augmented Second

m2 M2 A2

Below is a C Major Scale (a series of eight consecutive, ascending pitches) notated from C4 to C5. Scales
begin and end on pitches with the same note name an octave apart. This pitch lends its name to the scale. The
piano keyboard diagram below the staff shows that the scale uses only the white notes between the two C's.
1st Tetrachord 2nd Tetrachord

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1

An investigation of the intervallic content shows that the scale can be broken into two Tetrachords
(tetrachord is Greek meaning four pitches), with the same half-step formula (2-2-1), separated by 2 half-steps
(the number in the parentheses). In the first tetrachord, CDEF, we have: C to D, which is 2 half-steps; D to
E, which is 2 half-steps; and E to F, which is 1 half-step. In between F (the last note of the first tetrachord)
and G (the first note of the second tetrachord) - - this is the number in the parentheses - - there is 2 half-steps.
In the second tetrachord, GABC, we have: G to A, 2 half-steps; A to B, 2 half-steps; and B to C, 1 half-step.
This tetrachord (2-2-1) will be henceforth identified as the Major Tetrachord. In other words, the Major
Scale Formula is two major tetrachords separated by 2 half-steps. In half-steps it is 2-2-1(2)2-2-1 or
M2-M2-m2(M2)M2-M2-m2.
A major scale can be constructed starting on any pitch using this formula - - 2 major tetrachords with 2
half-steps between. Follow this step-by-step procedure to write a major scale starting on G:

1) Notate eight pitches on consecutive lines and spaces starting on G;

2) Separate the notes into 2 tetrachords and write the major scale formula between the notes;

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1

* IMPORTANT NOTE: Leave enough space between the notes to add the necessary accidentals.
The numbers should be placed between the notes because they represent
intervals between the pitches.
3) Using the piano keyboard, compare the actual interval between the pitches against what the interval should
be according to the major scale formula written between the notes, and apply appropriate accidentals.

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1
1st Tetrachord:
G to A is 2 half-steps - no accidental necessary.
A to B is 2 half-steps - no accidental necessary.
B to C is 1 half-step - no accidental necessary.

The interval betwen the two tetrachords (C to D) is 2 half-steps - no accidental necessary.

2nd Tetrachord:
D to E is 2 Half-steps - no accidental necessary.
E to F is 1 half-step. The formula requires 2 half-steps so F is raised in step three 1half-step to F-sharp.
F-sharp to G is 1 half-step - no accidental necessary.
Follow the same procedure to notate a major scale starting on F.

1) Notate eight pitches on consecutive lines and spaces starting on F;

2) Separate the notes into 2 tetrachords and write the major scale formula between the notes;

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1

3) Using the piano keyboard, compare the actual interval between the pitches against what the interval should
be according to the major scale formula written between the notes, and apply appropriate accidentals.

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1

2 2 1 (2) 2 2 1

1st Tetrachord:
F to G is 2 half-steps - no accidental necessary.
G to A is 2 half-steps - no accidental necessary.
A to B is 2 half-steps. The formula requires 1 half-step so B is lowered1 half-step with a flat to produce
the required interval.

The interval betwen the two tetrachords (B-flat to C) is 2 half-steps - no accidental necessary.

2nd Tetrachord:
C to D is 2 Half-steps - no accidental necessary.
D to E is 2 Half-steps - no accidental necessary.
E to F is 1 half-step - no accidental necessary.

* Notice that in the G major scale a sharp was needed to raise a note so that it matches the scale formula,
and a flat was needed in the F major scale to lower a note so that the major scale formula was followed.