Major scales have the following sequence of whole and half steps:

We can build a major scale starting on any note if we keep the same sequence of whole and half steps. Below we make another major scale, but this time starting on a D. We say this is the D major scale:

Why do we write accidentals at the beginning of the staff? These accidentals are called key signatures. In the previous and following examples, the key signature using F and C sharp implies that every F and C are sharp. See Key Signatures for more information.

Beethoven used this scale to write his Ode to Joy in the last movement of his 9th Symphony:

 

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