A major scale is a diatonic scale whose sequence of intervals between the notes is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, and half step. A diatonic scale is a heptatonic scale (seven note scale) that includes five whole steps and two half steps in each octave, and in which the two half steps are separated from each other by either two or three whole steps, depending on their position in the scale. This contrasts with chromatic scales, which are constructed entirely with half steps. Minor scales differ from a major scales in that additional note positions are lowered by a half step.
Major scales have played a central role in Western music. They are used more often than minor scales because of their unique harmonic properties. The simplest major scale to write and play, at least for beginners, is C major, because it is the only major scale that does not have any sharps or flats.