In C major, using the formula defined above, we end up with a scale that uses only natural notes, that is notes without any accidentals (sharps or flats). It also happens to use all the white keys on ...

The C major scale is made up of all the white notes on a piano keyboard, but other major scales (starting on different notes) ...

At the keyboard, C major is a blank slate: its scale consists only of what we usually term the piano’s ‘white’ notes (NB on the harpsichord those same notes are often colored black or brown).

We have to revisit our basic musical scale, and for the moment we'll stick with C major. If you look at a music or piano keyboard, start by locating the note C. As we already know (if you have ...