The sequence of whole steps and half steps for the Major scale is as follows:
     
     whole - whole - half - whole - whole - whole - half

         Below is the C minor scale and it's formula.

Minor Scale The half step is between 2&3 and 5&6

The sequence of whole steps and half steps for the Minor scale is as follows:      
     whole - half - whole - whole -half - whole - whole

Note: The key your playing in is based on the scale. Each key has a number of sharps or flats except for C Major and it's relative minor key A minor.

Question: So how do I know when to use sharps of flats? Let's find out!

Below is a list of scale formulas. Pull out your staff paper and draw in the notes.
Go over each one of these scales and try them in different keys.

Dominant - The dominant scale is part major and part minor. That is it has a major 3rd with a minor 7th. We will talk more about this in the "chord" section. The formula is:

     whole - whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole

Diminished - The diminished scale is made up of alternating whole and half steps. The formula is:

     whole - half - whole - half - whole - half - whole - half.

If you learn this scale beginning on C, C# and D you will have learned all the diminished scales. The only difference depends on where you begin the scale. For instance: C diminished has the same notes as Eb, Gb, and A diminished. C# diminished has the same notes as E, G, and A# diminished. D diminished has the same notes as F, Ab and B diminished.

Half Diminished - Played over minor 7 b5 chords. The half diminished scales is as follows:

     whole - half - whole - half - whole - whole- whole

Whole Tone - Here's an interesting scale completely made up of ….you got it, whole steps. The formula is:

     whole - whole - whole - whole - whole - whole

If you practice the whole-tone scale beginning on C then on C# you will know it in every key. The only difference depends on where you begin the scale. Give it a try.

Penatonic - The penatonic scale is a five note scale (Insted of using whole and half steps here I'm using scale intervals).

Major Penatonic = 1-2-3-5-6 Minor Penatonic = 1-b3-4-5-b7

I like to try different patterns. Such as: Major Penatonic = 2-3-5-6-7 Minor Penatonic = 1-2-4-5-b7

How about the black notes starting on Db Major. 1-2-4-5-6 aahhhh very Japanese;)

Go ahead be creative!

Blues Scale - This scale is played over dominant 7 and minor 7 chords. It's the blues. (Again using intervals from a major scale.) 1-b3-4-b5-5-b7 Now that we have some scales to play with let's build some chords.

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