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In this week's episode, I go over the major scale. The major scale is the most basic and important scale there is.
We will go over how to construct the major scale, play in different keys, practice it, and a few songs to put it to work. Everything you need to become a Major scale MASTER!
What Is A Scale?
A scale is simply a set of notes arranged in order of pitch. They are named by the first note of the sequence. This is called the root note. Scales can ascend in pitch or descend in pitch.
Why Is The Major Scale So Important?
The Major scale is the foundation of all music. Having a good understanding of the Major scale will allow you to better understand chord progressions, harmony and improvisation.
How To Make A Major Scale?
The Major scale is constructed using a set of Whole Steps and Half Steps. Below is the formula used to construct any Major scale:
Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step
I would encourage you to go through this exercise on one string. It’s easier to conceptualize the whole step/half step formula on one string versus playing in positions across all six strings. The one string approach is not a very common way to learn the scale, but it is easier to see the intervals using one string.
Below is the C Major scale along the A string:
How To Play In Different Keys?
Since there are twelve tones including sharps/flats, you can come up with all twelve major scales using the same pattern.
Using the same Whole Step Half Step pattern from above we can create any scale we want. To start with select the key so let's choose G. We then start on G and apply the Major Scale formula as shown below:
