Play any Major Scale on the Bandlab Keyboard
Play any major scale on the BandLab keyboard by choosing a root note and following the whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half pattern slowly.
Step-by-step guide to play any major scale on the BandLab keyboard
Step 1
Open BandLab and load the Keyboard instrument.
Step 2
Sit comfortably at the keyboard and put on your headphones if you are using them.
Step 3
Pick any root note on the keyboard and say its name out loud.
Step 4
Place your right-hand finger on the root note so you are ready to play.
Step 5
Learn the major scale pattern: whole whole half whole whole whole half and remember a whole step moves two keys to the right and a half step moves one key to the right.
Step 6
Move two keys to the right from the root and press that key slowly (first whole step).
Step 7
Move two more keys to the right and press that key slowly (second whole step).
Step 8
Move one key to the right and press that key slowly (first half step).
Step 9
Move two keys to the right and press that key slowly (third whole step).
Step 10
Move two keys to the right and press that key slowly (fourth whole step).
Step 11
Move two keys to the right and press that key slowly (fifth whole step).
Step 12
Move one key to the right and press that key slowly to reach the octave (final half step) and then play the whole scale from the root up to the octave slowly.
Step 13
Share your finished major scale performance on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have BandLab's Keyboard or headphones listed in the instructions?
If you don't have BandLab's Keyboard or headphones, use any free piano app or a real piano/keyboard to follow the 'Open BandLab and load the Keyboard instrument' step and use your device speakers or inexpensive earbuds instead of headphones.
I'm following the steps but the notes don't sound right or I can't hear them—what should I check?
If notes sound wrong or you can't hear them, make sure the Keyboard instrument is actually loaded in BandLab, the volume/headphones are connected, and carefully count keys as described (move two keys for a whole step, one key for a half step) while pressing each key slowly.
How can I adapt this major scale activity for different ages?
For younger children, use colored stickers on the root and next few keys and have them 'say its name out loud' and press keys slowly only up to the third, while older kids can do the full 'whole whole half...' pattern, add the left hand, and increase tempo or range.
How can we extend or personalize the activity after completing the scale and before sharing on DIY.org?
To extend the activity, record the slow scale in BandLab, add a simple chord or drum backing, try transposing the 'whole whole half...' pattern to other root notes, or change the instrument sound to personalize your DIY.org submission.
Watch videos on how to play any major scale on the BandLab keyboard
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Facts about music theory for kids
🎧 BandLab's online keyboard lets you change root notes instantly so you can practice the same scale in every key without retuning.
🆓 C major has no sharps or flats, which makes it a super-friendly first major scale for beginners.
🎹 The major scale follows the exact step pattern whole–whole–half–whole–whole–whole–half — your roadmap for every major scale!
🔁 The major scale is also called the Ionian mode and is the basis for countless pop songs and melodies kids already know.
🌈 There are 12 major keys (one for each note in the chromatic scale) — try them all on the BandLab keyboard!
How do I play a major scale on the BandLab keyboard?
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