In this video
Learn more about the major scale which is the foundation of all western music. It is used in all genres and is used to form the chords, melodies and riffs.
The major scale is the foundation of all western music. It is used in all genres and is used to form the chords, melodies and riffs. In these first few lessons, we’ll get a bit more in depth about what it is and how we can use it.
First, it’s best to know what a ‘whole tone’ and a ‘semi tone’ are.
Whole Tone = always 2 frets
(sometimes shorted to just 'tone')
An interval of two frets, and often the distance between many ‘natural’ notes. i.e. A and B or C and D.
Semi-tone = always 1 fret
An interval of one fret, and often the distance between a natural and a sharp i.e. A to A sharp.
On top of learning scales in ‘positions’ i.e. position 1, position 2 etc. it is so important to be able to play any scale you learn on 1 string. This is because when you learn a scale on 1 string you can see the intervals more clearly. An interval is the distance between any 2 notes. In higher level guitar, scales chords and melodies are all learned and mastered in terms of the intervals they use - we’ll be doing more on intervals in the future.
The Major Scale on one string
This diagram shows the major scale intervals on the thickest string. The numbers indicate the degree of the scale i.e. 1 for first note, 2 for second note, etc.
The TAB below shows the major scale intervals on the thinnest string. Here, the numbers indicate which fret each note is at.
