Skip to content There are twelve major scales, but some have common enharmonic equivalents. For example, Db major is the same with C# major while Gb major and F# major, and that is the reason why there are 12 majors scales instead of 15 major scales. These twelve major scales can be played for two octaves on the flute except for the C major scale which can be played up to three octaves on the flute.
Download a printable sheet or PDF of these 12 scales and arpeggios from here. Below is a chart of the 12 major scales and arpeggios for flute;
12 major scales and arpeggios for flute
These 12 scales are in most cases referred to as the 12 concert scales for flute because they are mostly seen in many flute repertoires. All 12 major scales and arpeggios include;
- C major scale
- F major scale
- B-flat major scale
- E-flat major scale
- A-flat major scale
- D-flat major scale
- G-flat major scale
- G major scale
- D major scale
- A major scale
- E major scale
- B major scale
- The C major scale consists of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. It is a diatonic scale, meaning it has seven unique notes before repeating an octave higher. The arpeggio of a C major scale includes the root note C, the major third E, and the perfect fifth G. The C major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 3 octaves on the C-flute.
- The F major scale consists of the notes F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. The arpeggio of an F major scale includes the root note F, the major third A, and the perfect fifth C. The F major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The B♭ major scale consists of the notes B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. The arpeggio of a B♭ major scale includes the root note B♭, the major third D, and the perfect fifth F. The B-flat major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The E♭ major scale consists of the notes E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D. The arpeggio of an E♭ major scale includes the root note E♭, the major third G, and the perfect fifth B♭. The E-flat major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The A♭ major scale consists of the notes A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. The arpeggio of an A♭ major scale includes the root note A♭, the major third C, and the perfect fifth E♭. The A-flat major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The D♭ major scale consists of the notes D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, and C. The arpeggio of a D♭ major scale includes the root note D♭, the major third F, and the perfect fifth A♭. The D-flat major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The G♭ major scale consists of the notes G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, and F. The arpeggio of a G♭ major scale includes the root note G♭, the major third B♭, and the perfect fifth D♭. The G-flat major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The G major scale consists of the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, and F♯. The arpeggio of a G major scale includes the root note G, the major third B, and the perfect fifth D. The G major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The D major scale consists of the notes D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. The arpeggio of a D major scale includes the root note D, the major third F♯, and the perfect fifth A. The D major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The A major scale consists of the notes A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G♯. The arpeggio of an A major scale includes the root note A, the major third C♯, and the perfect fifth E. The A major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The E major scale consists of the notes E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and D♯. The arpeggio of an E major scale includes the root note E, the major third G♯, and the perfect fifth B. The E major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
- The B major scale consists of the notes B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. The arpeggio of a B major scale includes the root note B, the major third D♯, and the perfect fifth F♯. The B major scale and its arpeggio can go up to 2 octaves on the C-flute.
