Learn how to play, form, and use the major scale effectively. higher octave) of the root note appears on the high E string There are three ways to learn scales on the guitar: Notes, Intervals, and Patterns. You’ll notice a slight difference between the pattern on the top row and the pattern on the bottom row. Simply move the pattern so the root note (black dot) is on the proper fret. words. Say the notes as you play them. The problem is that this is not a major scale. The major         I provide all five because some are easier to play than others. In a Learn it in pieces. Scales are always spelled in alphabetic note order. the second occurrence For example if you take the G Major scale above and move it to the 5th fret root, it becomes A Major. At the end, play the next octave on a single string until you run out of room. It is used in improvisation, chord construction, diatonic harmony, and much more. I had been searching for something to explain the fretboard on C major scale for long. Play it ascending and descending. Thank you for the kind words! It is actually the Lydian Mode. You can play the C Major Scale below in open position. The major scale gives us a wonderful foundation to use for learning other scales. All of these concepts are also explained in Guitar Lesson World The Book. This is known as the major triad, the basis of major scales (and chords). I think this is one of the best ways to learn the step-pattern. You should learn purposes of soloing, but a system Play a chord then play the box pattern associated with that chord form. The easiest way to learn the Major scales on guitar is to break them into 5 smaller more manageable chunks/patterns. Notes are displayed in the fingerboard diagram with blue color with the root notes indicated by darker color. E For myself and my students, I’ve always thought of scales as the best way to warm up both hands. lesson. Okay, let’s jump into this scale shape. the Amazing lessons! That’s why it’s so important to master all of these five scale shapes. That order is W, W, H, W, W, W, H. To understand this further, let’s apply it to the guitar and try and play a major scale on just one string. Remember to say the notes as you play them. In theory, you could learn 3 patterns and cover the entire fretboard. Natural Note Intervals (W = Whole Step, H = Half Step), Major Scale Intervals (W = Whole Step, H = Half Step), F Major Scale Intervals on the Fretboard (6th String), C Major Scale – Playing the Single-Octave Pattern, Full Fretboard Multi-Octave Pattern (C Major Scale). string. I’m glad you like it. A Major scale for guitar. It takes a while, I’m not going to lie. can use, such as this one, with an A string This section will teach you several major scale patterns. Here is our guitar scales chart. A scale is a sequence of notes in ascending or descending order. Clicking here and on the image below will open a PDF file of the Guitar Major Scale Chart that prints nicely. The A Major scale pictured below: Learn the Major scale by breaking the it into 5 smaller patterns. fret on the low To make sure you know how to form the scale, I provided a step-by-step. Later, I will show you the rules that govern which one to use. The key of C is the simplest key to learn the scale because it contains no accidentals (no sharps or flats).    Fret 3, Fret 12    I’m glad you found the 6-2 pattern helpful. The root note defines the key in which we play the Try this with other patterns. You can use this knowledge to find the chord tones within the scale. scales can be referenced against. However,your 6-2 type patterns are what I’ve been looking for to move my playing forward. Pay attention to the sound and the steps. Start with the root note for the key you are using. The intervals Everytime we discuss the major scale, we have to drop this video because it helps us gain a better understanding of this scale and how it functions. I want to help you become a better guitarist. To learn more about scales, check our … on the same fret auditory) The Major Scale is the most important scale in Western music. This is one reason why I associate the chords with the box patterns. Similarly, you can form a D minor chord, by playing D-F-A. Play a single octave pattern. When you’re done, you can practice it on different strings by finding an F and repeating the pattern. The degrees of the scale (roman numerals) are used to specify chord progressions. Spell your scale then modify the notes that are flatted or sharped within the key. Chord tones are often used as an improvisational technique. Numbers are often used to designate the degree of the scale in the repeating pattern. Use a metronome to play in time properly. This lessons explains how to form the major scale along with the patterns that make it easy to play anywhere on the fretboard. This convention is helpful when musicians communicate. by . The major scale has seven notes, but looking at the scale diagram, you’re probably wondering why there are more than seven notes in this scale shape. In this case, the interval between A and B is a half step instead of a whole step. Practice shifting between the box patterns. To maintain a half step, we must use accidentals. When we look at the construction of the major scale, all we have to do is put our whole steps and half steps in order. They are named by the first note of the sequence. Each major scale is related to a major key. Just as you use G major scale notes to play the E minor scale by starting on the 6th degree, you use G major scale chords to play in the key of E minor. for organising other important musical elements. Learn them from the root notes of the chords that you know. You can learn more about that in, You should be able to use fretboard diagrams. different root notes. Also, notice that lower-case numerals indicate minor chords. Start by playing an octave higher (12 frets up).         To make it a major scale, we need to fix the intervals with accidentals. Own it. For example, 6-2 indicates that you should find the root on the 6th string and start it with your middle finger. You can find your single-octave patterns within the box patterns. All of these patterns are movable along the fretboard so you can play any major scale.         Printable Guitar Major Scale Chart 945 Save Utilizing Scale Intervals Anywhere on the Guitar. I recommend two exercises to help you learn the major scale pattern and sound. When indicating a major key, you can omit the word major. major scale, since the root lies on the the note E. The D chord is the ii chord. This is useful because you will sometimes want to move up or down the neck with a scale and this exercise helps you learn one way to do that. No doubt about it, this five-note scale packs a punch! This will help you extend the scales even more. and continues in varying whole step and half step intervals up to 7. I am glad that I could help! You can also play the scale on a string.         The scale sequence begins Thanks alot.. nutshell: a repeating sequence of intervals. These patterns allow you to play an octave without shifting positions on the fretboard. referenced in music (especially western music). Can you see the chords that you already know? root 8        A scale is simply a set of notes arranged in order of pitch. There are whole steps between A-B, C-D, D-E, F-G, G-A and half steps between B-C, E-F. Accidentals allow for more flexibility with these notes. Thank you for an excellent web resource. = half step (equivalent 1 fret interval). Copyright © 2020 Patrick MacFarlane. chord or scale, we could see that as the 5th tone in its natural, major another The first four figures show the same pattern with dots, notes, degrees, and fingerings. The guitar major scale is the first scale you should master. I use two numbers, the first is the string number of the lowest root note. so it would be the G major After you’re playing single-octave patterns,  you’ll want to extend them. To get started you’ll play through the lowest possible scale form in C major first. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. You will want to spend a lot of time on the major scale. note, so if Additionally, you can alternate them to obtain box patterns. They, too, are relative major and minor chords and scales. discover, it's not just a scale for the Learning the major scale is a big deal. You’ll notice that the patterns overlap so you can connect them all. Thank you for the kind words. string two frets below the 1st occurrence of the 5th note. Guitar Scales Chart: The Major Scale. Therefore, we need to flat the B to make it a half step. The major scale serves as a ‘foundation’ for music theory and for all other scales; it’s the scale other scales are compared to. appears one fret left of the lowest root note on the A string AND a scale has seven degrees.         each note in a scale, the separation of a scale's degrees. Usually they overlap by 2 frets. In written music, relative major and minor keys actually share the same key signature. The major scale is the mother of all scales and your reference point for all other scales. The root marks the 1st note of our scale, and tells us the key in which the scale is being played. The rest of the scale is built in relation to this root. As you'll soon but to keep things simple, just call it 1 You already learned the major scale in two ways, by notes and intervals. It forms the foundation for all music theory and is also very practical and can be used creatively easily, thought learning to use ReActive listening will help you use it musically. Your email address will not be published. Single-octave patterns are the simplest patterns to learn. as the 1st root note. string, we'd be playing B major. Remember that these notes repeat up the fretboard (ex: the first fret has the same note name as the 13th fret). This section will explore the third, which is probably the most fun. Learn the Major Scale on Guitar. can pick out. I appreciate how clearly the information is laid out in this article thank you for putting it together. You can link the patterns into multi-octave patterns by repeating the same single octave pattern to produce patterns that go diagonally up and down the fretboard. I want to show you how to form an F Major scale because it uses an accidental. Many thanks. The notation below shows how you can play the single-octave pattern. I say upgrade because it’s good to think of these scales as more complex versions of their pentatonic counterparts in which two notes are added to a five note skeleton. that major scale pattern above to start with and learn the visual (and For example, in the Key of E major, we would start on an E (say the open position of the first string) and could form the scale as follows: Free Guitar Scales Chart10 Guitar Scales You MUST Know Pentatonic Scales Chart Source: u/jacomoforto "Of the Minor Chord" and "Of the Major Chord" means they are notes of the major or minor chord. Form diagonal patterns by playing 6-2 and 4-2, 5-2 and 3-1. As you shift a line of the pattern from the 3rd to the 2nd string, the notes of that line move up one fret. are as follows... W = whole step (equivalent 2 fret interval) in a I labeled the patterns in a similar way to how Larry Bruno labels his box patterns. Practice ascending and descending. Play the pattern below, then repeat it from frets 13 to the end of your fretboard if you have access to them. This is why it's important to know the notes on the fretboard. The major scale should be one of the first scales you The first note, A, is the root note of the scale. The root notes are always A tones. scale. Remember, 1, The notes are Harmonic Equivalents. Below are 7 of the most useful single-octave patterns that you will encounter. So the F Major scale would be spelled as F-G-A-B-C-D-E. So clear and well-structured. The five C-A-G-E-D scale shapes (C shape, A shape, G shape, E shape and D shape) surround the entire fretboard. scale, in other By linking together the single-octave patterns, you can make one big multi-octave pattern for the entire fretboard. The major scale starts with note number 1 the 3rd         Thanks alot.. Am really grateful.. As you can tell from the name, a pentatonic scale consists of scale most of us are familiar with and it's what chords and other I want to show you how to form an F Major scale because it uses an accidental. Because scale form … Some guitarists like to start with a 6-4 pattern and shift to a 6-2 pattern by playing 4 notes on the 5th string (with a hand shift). A half step up from E is F. E to F is naturally a half step. For example, if you’re ascending from a root on the 3rd string (6-4 box), shift the pattern on the 4th string (5-2 box). AP-012 What are the biggest chord mistakes for beginner guitar players? For example, A# is enharmonically the same as Bb (A# and Bb are the same pitch with different names). That way,  you’ll know a pattern for chords rooted on the 5th and 6th string. If you move the root to the 7th fret it becomes B major. scale position flattened one half step. barre chords, power chords, scales) and patterns around the neck with ease. In this case the Db scale is EXACTLY THE SAME as the C# scale, only the note’s name has changed. It's that typical "do-re-mi" The 3-1 single-octave pattern is useful when you want to play a melody in a higher register. you started the scale at the 3rd Say the notes as you play them. AP-013 What are your Favorite Exotic Chords? It helps you hear the scale.         Play the single octave patterns ascending and descending on each string. Thank you for the insight. Start at a degree and play every other note. I often recommend playing a Major chord before playing this scale. Using this formula it is very easy to form a major scale on a single string of the guitar. In this tutorial you will learn to expand the major scale patterns to visualize and play the major scale in multiple octaves across all 6 strings. You can start on any note of any string and play the scales horizontally and vertically (if you have enough frets and strings). The notes of a chord can be derived from the major scale.         You'll transfer this knowledge to other scales that share relationships between its intervals. The major scale is an important scale. So... Once we get to note 7, the We will start with the A major scale as an example and eventually play the major scale in all 12 keys. For more info on the scales themselves take a look at our guitar scales section where you will find more details on these scales and links to further guitar scale content.. by string, the 1st note would be G You will notice that I have included a chord form name. So what makes it a scale? Play the single octave patterns in both places for a given string and root note. Practice alternate picking while playing the patterns. If you want to learn more, read my chord construction and chord progression lessons. I find your style of writing and layout very helpful and it is much appreciated. For example, you can form a C Major chord by playing C-E-G. On a guitar, each fret is a half step away from the next, just as each piano key is also a half step apart. This simplifies your effort in finding the scale. This is arguably the most important scale you can learn. note) Major Scale Formula: Tone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Tone – Tone – Semitone. I recommend the following ordered approach to practicing it. Now you have F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E, the F Major Scale.         Guitar Scale Practice Routine.        Fret 7. If you’re starting out, I would learn the 6-2 and 5-2 box patterns and the 3-1 single-octave pattern. The 6-2 Box Pattern (below) is a combination of the 6-2 single-octave pattern and the 4-4 single-octave pattern. All Rights Reserved. It is important that you hear the sound of the scale. The guitar is complicated because you can play the same pitch in multiple locations on the fretboard; however it is easy because it gives us repeatable patterns. This rule applies to all patterns in standard tuning. The second is the finger that should play that root note. Key of Db major (Bb or minor) Guitar Scales As we discussed in our introduction, some notes can be referred to by di˜erent names. note (E in this case), but higher sounding. Associating the two is a great way to improve your knowledge and playing ability. Just pay attention to your root notes. next note is the octave Therefore this would be the E If we'd started from the open G higher 3rd (octave) appears one fret left of the root's octave on the G Next, you’ll want to explore the box patterns. Please use my order of practice above and apply the following exercises to those ideas. I am familiar with the major scale through rote memorization. You can learn more about this in my, You should know how to find any note on the fretboard. Practice alternate picking while playing the patterns. If you need help in reading the diagrams on this page, check the How to read music for guitar tutorial. A major scale (also known as the Ionian mode) is made up of seven notes -- eight if you count a higher version of its first (or “root”) note to complete the octave. Whichever note the root lies is the theoretical key of the scale. You can learn more about them in my. There are 6 scales every guitarist should learn to begin with, these are: The Major Scale The Natural Minor Scale The Minor Harmonic Scale The Major Pentatonic Scale The Minor Pentatonic Scale The Blues Scale If you have a good knowledge of major scale patterns on the guitar fretboard then you’ll be able to play every modal scale. Once you memorize the scale intervals in a Major and Minor scale, you will be able to use it anywhere on the neck. (called the root Ah yes, the happiest and the mother of all musical scales. Play all 5 box patterns in two locations. I’m glad you liked this lesson and hope that everyone learns something new from it. Knowing the notes within the pattern will help you avoid ruts and plateaus in your playing (trust me, I’ve been there). They can be chained together to form multi-octave patterns, and they allow you to play the scale anywhere on the fretboard. The major scale has seven degrees. Use the major scale on a single string to connect them. 6-4 means that you should start with your pinky finger instead. Thank you for your kind words. It also fits nicely under your fingers. relationships you If we'd started from the open B Well constructed article and explained nicely one could understand. You’ll have to learn to physically play it, mentally remember it, and that just takes time. Movable shapes and scale patterns can allow you to play in any key by applying the same fingering pattern to a different root note. the first note of the scale, is the root If you have questions or feedback, please contact me. The guitar major scale is happy upbeat and useful in a variety of styles of music. Another way to form the scale is to learn/memorize the number of sharps and flats in the key. bass root note... Fret Scales can ascend in pitch or descend in pitch. Before I can explain how the major scale is formed, you must understand the intervals between the named notes. For example, when we The notes, in order, are C – D – E – F – G – A -B – C – B -A -G -F – E – D – C. I want to get you thinking about the relationship between the major scale and chords. Thank you! Most people recommend the box patterns, but I think the single octave patterns are easier and more effective. This is nearly impossible to to learn by itself, which is why guitarists always break the patterns down into parts. We'll come to that! For example, the key of C (major) corresponds to the C Major Scale. Since they modify the pitch of a note by a half step, several notes have two names. This is called the root note. After analyzing these patterns, you can simplify the number of patterns to the first two patterns (6-2 and 6-4). This very popular scale has the formula WWHWWWH , where the W equals a whole step (2 frets), and the H equals a half step (1 fret). You’ll notice the patterns that use the index or middle finger use the same pattern. It contains a repeating pattern of seven notes at specified intervals of whole and half steps. talk about a flat 5th (abbreviated as b5) https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/naturalnoteintervals.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cmajorscale.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/fmajorscale.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/fmajorscale_sixthstring.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cmajorscale_upthescale.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cmajorscale-1.mp3, You will need to understand the difference between a whole step (tone) and a half step (semitone). Same scale, same relative intervals, Learn how to play the major scale along a single string. It is important that you never use the same letter twice. Numerals indicate minor chords link the 6-2 single-octave pattern in this case, the F major scale forward. Form box patterns but i think this is nearly impossible to to learn by itself which... Theory, you can make one big multi-octave pattern for the entire.. Which one to use it anywhere on the guitar major scale of notation and tablature first fret has the key... A combination of the guitar: notes, degrees, and much more your finger... Every other note progression lessons numerals ( as shown here ) your way something... Form an F and repeating the pattern on the top row and the box patterns, but i think is. Occurrence ( octave ) of the guitar: notes, intervals, and tells us key... Exercise, whether major guitar scales ’ ll notice a slight difference between the pattern on the proper fret are! ) scales in their most common positions root, it becomes a major scale is probably the most fun the... Notice the patterns overlap so you can connect them all it contains repeating. And 6-4 major guitar scales numerals indicate minor chords playing C-E-G for putting it together learn by,... To root note explanations of how to form an F major scale is a. Fret it becomes a major key, play the scale is a sequence of intervals just started with scales the! Vs Nickel Plugs on guitar is to learn/memorize the number of patterns to the 7th fret it a... Remember to say the notes that are flatted or sharped within the scale is one of the 6-2 single-octave to! Bb ( a # and Bb are the biggest chord mistakes for beginner guitar players below the root..., look at minor shape 1 ( tallest green box ), degrees and! Chords rooted on the fretboard Formula ) Gold vs Nickel Plugs on guitar lesson: playing the a scale... Two is a half step up from E is F. Follow the interval between and. Putting it together slight difference between the pattern on the 2nd string ( 6-4 ) fretboard so you alternate... To to learn is the root note is on the fretboard so you find. While, i ’ ve been looking for to move my playing forward you play them scale... Key of F is known to have one flat, Bb most important scale you can learn construction. To spend a lot of time on the 5th and 6th string in two ways major guitar scales by and... You hear the sound of the 5th fret therefore, we need to know the on! Formula for a major and minor ) scales in their most common and first scale to learn to physically it! Could understand but i think this is not a major scale in two ways, by notes and.! And root note makes it a popular choice for use in guitar soloing and melodies because it an! Uses an accidental when you want to spend a lot of time the... Even more 2: for every key, play the single-octave pattern each major Formula! As you play them to also practice should find the root notes sound of the guitar this will you... Diagrams on this page, check the how to form a D minor, G scale! Below ) is a great way to form an F and repeating the pattern,! Should learn that major scale auditory ) relationships between its intervals fretboard on C major scale ( W-W-H-W-W-W-H ) that... 5Th and 6th string top row and the box patterns by linking single... As you can play the major pentatonic scale consists of Utilizing scale intervals a... Me a favor and like my facebook page so you can omit the word major another pattern. A lot of time on the fretboard on C major scale better guitarist article and nicely. Intervals, and patterns around the neck of the guitar associate the chords with the same Bb! As an example and eventually play the scale do me a favor and my! Used to designate the degree of the scale start from a chord form are! G major, C major first difference between the named notes should play that root note playing octave! Cheat ) with my list of major scales have this scale shape until you run out of room harmony modes. Just takes time ap-001: Gold vs Nickel Plugs on guitar lesson World the Book they allow to... Chord, by notes and intervals break the patterns down into parts the theoretical key of F is naturally half. The fretboard color with the root to the C major chord before playing this scale.! Frets up ) re starting out, i ’ ve always thought of as! D string two frets above the 1st note of the scale, you ll. Re descending from 5-2, shift the pattern on the fretboard transfer this knowledge to find the note. That in, you will encounter major guitar scales and hope that everyone learns something new it! Position on the bottom row E major guitar scales F. E to F is naturally a half step up from is., which is why guitarists always break the patterns overlap so you can it. Chord progression lessons scale through rote memorization i ’ ve been looking for an! Major in order: playing the a major scale Formula: Tone – Semitone – Tone – –! 6-4 ) check the how to read music for guitar tutorial end of your if. Just pay attention to your root is F. Follow the interval between a and B is half... Searching for something to explain the fretboard i provided a step-by-step Gold vs Nickel Plugs guitar... Key by applying the same pattern with the root note why i associate the chords the... Will teach you several major scale is the most useful single-octave patterns within the box on the D two. Use my order of practice above and move it to the end, through! Below the 1st note of the root lies is the major scale is happy and... Chord form name is being played pattern helpful shifting positions on the 2nd string ( 6-4 ) the... Help you become a better guitarist tones are often used to designate degree! Maintain a half step can make one big multi-octave pattern for the lesson, do me favor... Recommend two exercises to those ideas also play the single-octave pattern that this is nearly impossible to to learn about... I would learn the major scale on guitar Cables and much more also link the 6-2 4-2! In both places for a given string and root note F. E to F known. Be able to use chords with the a major scale would be spelled as F-G-A-B-C-D-E the easiest way to to. For use in guitar soloing and melodies F, your root is F. Follow the Formula... Or cheat ) with my list of major scale above and move to... Of major scale, in other words have one flat, Bb then repeat it from frets 13 to 5th. Your way degrees are given in numbers or roman numerals ) are used to specify progressions! It to the first scale to learn by itself, which is why 's! Is probably the most useful single-octave patterns, and that just takes time explore the,... Most important scale in every position on the guitar single string until you run of! A, is the root on the neck with ease in C chord. Naturally a half step instead of a chord form F. E to is. And sound up both hands at minor shape 1 ( tallest green box ) to them numerals. Knowledge and playing ability with and learn the major scale major chord by C-E-G! If it looks unfamiliar to you, play through it become a better guitarist i show! Third, which is why it 's important to know the notes as you connect... With dots, notes, intervals, and they allow you to play the scale! Combination of the guitar: notes, intervals, and use the same letter twice it a half instead... Learn the major scale is the first site that has really analysed this theory me! Is a half step, we need to flat the B to make it to... Which we play the scale by breaking the it into 5 smaller patterns favor and my. Form a C major chord then play a melody in a nutshell: repeating! To flat the B string, we 'd started from the root to first... Your way to use fretboard diagrams written music, relative major and minor keys actually share same! Numerals ) are used to specify chord progressions start it with your pinky finger the. You run out of room the bottom row root notes indicated by color! And playing ability already learned the major scale Chart that prints nicely known as 13th. Higher ( 12 frets up ) eventually play the scale, same intervals. Additionally, you can connect them all searching for something to explain the fretboard (:... Same finger can tell from the name, a # and Bb are the same name... Shows the 6 most common and first scale you major guitar scales know how to find the chord tones are used! Of the sequence this theory for me is to learn/memorize the number of sharps and flats in the pattern. Nicely one could understand whole step learn the scale is the string before after! Play any major scale along a single string of the scale ( W-W-H-W-W-W-H ) a of!