The Major Scale can easily be played on one string up or down the length of the guitar neck as well as other combinations of patterns using multiple strings.
The notes of scales are often numbered to help show their relationship to eachother in the scale and also when being used to build chords. Below is a chart of the scales and how they are numbered. This will help you become familiar with how to find the third and fifth notes of scale build common chords from.
The Formula for the Major Scale is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.
Example
w = whole step, h = half step
. There are no sharp or flat notes between the notes E and F or B and C meaning there is only a half step between them.
C w D w E h F w G w A w B h C
The Notes of the C Major Scale
| C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
A |
B |
C |
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
The C Major Scale has no sharp or flat notes in its scale. A scale contains all the notes needed to make the chords for that key. The 8th note is the octave note of the scale. See the Circle of Fifths for more.
Major Scale Diagrams
Below are diagrams for the Major Scale showing one (left) and two octave (right)scale patterns. Move the root notes (in red) to the key you wish to play in.
Example Guitar Tabs
Guitar Tab for the A Major Scale, One Octave Pattern
Guitar Tab for the A Major Scale, Two Octave Pattern
Once you get familiar with the patterns of the scale you can begin to improvise and play riffs with different patterns (playing the notes in different order) using the notes of the scale. The Pentatonic Scales are often used in soloing and guitar riffs.
More Guitar Scales
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Guitar Scale Lessons Major Scale
The Major Scale can easily be played on one string up or down the length of the guitar neck as well as other combinations of patterns using multiple strings.
The notes of scales are often numbered to help show their relationship to eachother in the scale and also when being used to build chords. Below is a chart of the scales and how they are numbered. This will help you become familiar with how to find the third and fifth notes of scale build common chords from.
The Formula for the Major Scale is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.
Example
w = whole step, h = half step
. There are no sharp or flat notes between the notes E and F or B and C meaning there is only a half step between them.
C w D w E h F w G w A w B h C
The Notes of the C Major Scale
The C Major Scale has no sharp or flat notes in its scale. A scale contains all the notes needed to make the chords for that key. The 8th note is the octave note of the scale. See the Circle of Fifths for more.
Major Scale Diagrams
Below are diagrams for the Major Scale showing one (left) and two octave (right)scale patterns. Move the root notes (in red) to the key you wish to play in.
Example Guitar Tabs
Guitar Tab for the A Major Scale, One Octave Pattern
Guitar Tab for the A Major Scale, Two Octave Pattern
Once you get familiar with the patterns of the scale you can begin to improvise and play riffs with different patterns (playing the notes in different order) using the notes of the scale. The Pentatonic Scales are often used in soloing and guitar riffs.
More Guitar Scales
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