A major (ionian) scale
How to play the A major (ionian) scale
A Major (Ionian)A · B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A
Piano samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)
A major (ionian) scale — notes and structure
The A major (ionian) scale is the familiar do-re-mi major scale — the bright, happy foundation of Western music.
The A major (ionian) scale consists of the notes A, B, D♭, D, E, G♭, A♭. Its interval structure is R–2–3–4–5–6–7 — the intervals from the root that give the scale its sound. This is the same scale you see in the interactive finder above, drawn on the piano keyboard with the root circled and every note labelled.
Its step pattern is whole · whole · half · whole · whole · whole · half — the shape that makes it the major (ionian) scale in any key.
Play the 7 notes A, B, D♭, D, E, G♭, A♭ in order from the root A; the interactive keyboard above lights up every note of the scale.
Chords in the A major (ionian) scale
Stack the scale’s own notes in thirds and you get these seven chords — the harmony available to you without leaving the scale.
It shares its notes with the F♯ natural minor scale — the same seven notes, a different home note.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the A major (ionian) scale?
- The A major (ionian) scale has the 7 notes A, B, D♭, D, E, G♭, A♭. It is the familiar do-re-mi major scale — the bright, happy foundation of Western music.
- How many notes are in the A major (ionian) scale?
- 7 notes: A, B, D♭, D, E, G♭, A♭.
- What is the major (ionian) scale used for?
- The major (ionian) scale is the familiar do-re-mi major scale — the bright, happy foundation of Western music — hear it and see it on the keyboard above.
- What chords are in the A major (ionian) scale?
- Stacking the scale's own notes in thirds gives A (I), Bm (ii), C♯m (iii), D (IV), E (V), F♯m (vi), G♯dim (vii°).