If a piece of music (or part of a piece of music) is in a major key, then the notes in the corresponding major scale are considered diatonic notes, while the notes outside the major scale are considered chromatic notes.
Whole steps and half steps are explained mathematically in a related article, Twelfth root of two. Where "whole" stands for a whole tone (a red u-shaped curve in the figure), and "half" stands for a semitone (a red angled line in the figure). Whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half The sequence of intervals between the notes of a major scale is: The intervals from the tonic (keynote) in an upward direction to the second, to the third, to the sixth, and to the seventh scale degrees of a major scale are called major. Structure The pattern of whole and half steps characteristic of a major scale In Hindustani classical music, it is known as Bilaval. In Carnatic music, it is known as Sankarabharanam. The major scale has a central importance in Western music, particularly that of the common practice period and in popular music. Audio playback is not supported in your browser.