Major (Ionian) Scales

Ionian (Major)

The Ionian Mode is commonly called the major scale

Interesting or defining features:

Minor 2nds between scale degrees 3 & 4, 7 & 8

Chords that may be used with this scale: (examples in C Ionian)

Major triad (C-E-G)

Major 6 (C-E-G-A)

Major 7  (C-E-G-B)

Major 9 (C-E-G-B-D)

Major 13 (C-E-G-B-D-A)

Here are two ways to think about the Ionian scale:

1-Think of its intervals

For example:

W

W

H

W

W

W

H

W=Whole step or 2 half steps

H=Half step

2-Two tetrachords hooked together by a half step

For example:

A tetrachord is 4 notes separated by 2 whole steps then 1 half step

The 1st tetrachord is:

C

D

E

F

The 2nd tetrachord is:

G

A

B

C

Put together it is:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

min 2nd

min 2nd

Here are the 12 Ionian scales:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

(see alternate spelling below)

Db

Eb

F

Gb

Ab

Bb

C

Db

D

E

F#

G

A

B

C#

D

Half-steps between notes:

Eb

F

G

Ab

Bb

C

D

Eb

2-2-1-2-2-2-1

E

F#

G#

A

B

C#

D#

E

F

G

A

Bb

C

D

E

F

(see alternate spelling below)

F#

G#

A#

B

C#

D#

E#

F#

G

A

B

C

D

E

F#

G

Ab

Bb

C

Db

Eb

F

G

Ab

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G#

A

Bb

C

D

Eb

F

G

A

Bb

(see alternate spelling below)

B

C#

D#

E

F#

G#

A#

B

Alternate spelling for Db Ionian:

C#

D#

E#

F#

G#

A#

B#

C#

Alternate spelling for F# Ionian:

Gb

Ab

Bb

Cb

Db

Eb

F

Gb

Alternate spelling for B Ionian:

Cb

Db

Eb

Fb

Gb

Ab

Bb

Cb