Major Scale
Major scale landmarks
Use the root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th as anchors for hearing and finding major-key sounds.
Some degrees carry more context
The root centers the key, the 3rd reveals major color, the 5th stabilizes the sound, and the 7th pulls toward the root.
These landmarks make the full scale easier to remember because they give the pattern musical jobs.
Landmarks support melody writing
A melody that touches chord tones often sounds connected to the harmony underneath it.
Scale degrees between the landmarks can add motion, tension, and release.
Outline G major
In G major, the root is G, the 3rd is B, the 5th is D, and the 7th is F#.
Play those notes slowly, then resolve F# up to G to hear why the 7th wants to move.
Use the idea on your guitar
Resolve 7 to 1
- Play F# on the high E string fret 2.
- Resolve it to G on high E string fret 3.
Listen for: Hear the pull of the 7th resolving into the root.
Melodies that aim for home
Reference: Common chorus and cadence writing
Many melodies create lift by approaching the tonic from nearby scale degrees, especially 7 resolving to 1.
You can analyze that motion with numbers even when you do not know every note name immediately.
Write a landing melody
Write a four-note melody in a major key that ends with 7 resolving to 1.
- Use at least one landmark degree: 1, 3, 5, or 7.
- End on the root and notice whether it feels finished.
Before you move on
- Which major-scale degree often pulls upward to the root?
- The 7th degree.
- Why are 1, 3, and 5 strong landmarks?
- They outline the tonic triad.