What does major scale mean in music?

In music, a major scale is a heptatonic (seven-note) scale with a specific pattern of whole and half steps. The specific pattern of whole and half steps creates the characteristic "bright" or "happy" sound associated with major scales.

The formula for a major scale is:

Tone - Tone - Semitone - Tone - Tone - Tone - Semitone

Here is a representation of the C major scale:

C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

The pattern is as follows:

- Whole step (two half steps) from C to D

- Whole step (two half steps) from D to E

- Half step (one half step) from E to F

- Whole step (two half steps) from F to G

- Whole step (two half steps) from G to A

- Whole step (two half steps) from A to B

- Half step (one half step) from B to C

This pattern of whole and half steps is consistent for all major scales, starting from different notes.

Major scales are commonly used in Western music and are the foundation for many melodies, harmonies, and musical compositions. They are found in a wide variety of genres, including classical music, pop, rock, jazz, and many others.