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| The major scale is a specific pattern of whole steps and half steps encompassing one octave.
A half step is the distance between a key on the piano keyboard and the next adjacent key with no keys in between (white or black).
A whole step is the equivalent of two half steps. It skips the closest adjacent key and goes to the next one.
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| (W = whole step; H = half step)
The major scale pattern of whole steps and half steps is the same as that found on the white notes of the piano from any C up to the next C.
The whole steps will always fall between scale degrees 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 4 & 5, 5 & 6, and 6 & 7.
The half steps will always fall between scale degrees 3 & 4 and 7 & 8.
When a scale begins on a pitch other than C, accidentals must be used to maintain the pattern of steps. An accidental will precede the note it alters. They are as follows:
 A sharp raises the note it precedes by one half-step
 A double sharp raises the note it precedes by two half steps
 A flat lowers the note it precedes by one half step
 A double flat lowers the note it precedes by two half steps
 A natural returns the pitch it precedes to its natural, unaltered state
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