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Major scale (octave)
A full octave up and down.
The complete major scale across an octave: eight notes up through the major seventh to the octave, then back down, fifteen notes in all at a brisk tempo. The upward half contains two half steps, between the third and fourth and between the seventh and octave; everything else is a whole step. Sung on 'lah', a bright open syllable that keeps the tongue active. Five repetitions, each a semitone higher.
How to do it
- Listen to the full octave played up and down before you start.
- Sing on 'lah', keeping the tongue tip light and the vowel the same on every note.
- Follow the long ascent on the piano roll; the octave is the peak, then it mirrors down.
- Watch the seventh degree in particular; it should read green just under the top.
- Five passes, rising a semitone each time.
Coach's tip: The seventh degree (before the octave) must be high – “pull” it toward the octave.
What to watch out for
The seventh degree is the trouble note. It sits only a half step below the octave, and if you sing it too low the octave will be low too. Lean it upward. Coming down, the sixth and third often go flat when you relax; keep the line energized. At this tempo people run out of breath around the top; take a full breath before starting. Pain or tightness at the octave means the range is too high.
Who it's for
For intermediate singers who already handle 5-note scale comfortably. It's a main-block exercise, best after a siren such as “Oo” siren (octave) has connected the range. For a related workout, try Minor scale next, or Major scale downward to work the descent alone. No preset program includes it, so add it yourself when the session has room.
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Related exercises
- Minor scale Natural minor scale – a darker sound, typical of ballads.
- Major pentatonic Five notes that almost all pop runs are built from.
- 5-note scale The classic: five notes up and back. The most important intonation exercise.
- Chromatic (5 semitones) Each next note a semitone higher. An extreme intonation test.