Begin by learning the 12 tones in the musical language. They are: A-A#-B-C-C#-D-D#-E-F-F#-G and G#. This is called the chromatic scale.The # represents a sharp note. Sharp notes are also flat notes, represented by a flat sign (b). A note is sharp if it comes after another note and flat if it comes before another note. There are no sharps and flats between B and C and E and F. Stepwise, there is only a half step between each of these sets of notes. These 12 notes form the basis for every musical scale.
Begin by learning the major scale. Instead of trying to memorize the major scales individually, learn the step pattern of a major scale. The pattern is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step and half step. Start on any note of the musical scale and follow this step pattern to find the notes in the major scale that is named for your starting note. Starting on the note C, this step pattern gives you the notes C-D-E-F-G-A and B, the C major scale. You can use this step pattern and any starting note to determine the notes in a major scale.
Find the natural minor scales by starting on the sixth degree (note) of any major scale and playing those notes to the octave. For instance, an A minor scale begins on the sixth degree of the C major scale and contains the notes A-B-C-D-E-F and G. The step pattern for this scale is whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step and whole step. You can also find a natural minor by starting on a note and following this step pattern.