Major Guitar Scale
Learn How To Play The Major Scale on the Guitar!
In this guitar lesson we will be learning how the major scale is made. This is very important because all of the chords, scales, and arpeggios that you will be learning in the future require a good understanding of how the major scale works. Once you understand how the major scale is made, you will have the opportunity to learn a common shape for the major scale. We will be working in the key of G major for this lesson.
In order to understand the major scale you need to know two things. These two things are the difference between a half step and a whole step, and the sequence of half steps and whole steps that make up a major scale. A half step on the guitar is generally one fret up or down, and a whole step is generally two frets up or down. Put your 1st finger on the G note on 3rd fret of the 6th string. If you go up to the very next fret that is a half step. Start out on the 3rd fret of the 6th string again. Move up two frets. That is a whole step. The formula for a major scale is whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. It may be easier to remember the sequence like this. WWHWWWH.
Go back to the 3rd fret of the 6th string. We will be in the key of G major so the G that you are playing on the 3rd fret of the 6th string will be the root note of the scale. Now follow the formula of half and whole steps for the major scale. First we need a whole step so go up two frets to the A note on the 5th fret on the 6th string. Next we need another whole step. That would put you on the B note on the 7th fret. Because the formula calls for a half step this time, we will move a half step up to the C note on the 8th fret. A whole step from C would be a D on the 10th fret and another whole step from the D would be an E on the 12th fret. We need one more whole step, so play the F# on the 14th fret. Finally, the last half step brings us back to a G note on the 15th fret of the 6th string.
This is great for understanding how the major scale is made but it is not very practical. We have provided you with the notation and tab for a common G major scale shape. Instead of going all of the way up and down the fretboard to play the G major scale, this shape stays in one position.
This scale shape is movable. That just means that you can move your starting note anywhere on the 6th string. Just remember whatever note you start on will be the root note of that major scale. If you move this scale to where you are starting on the A note on the 5th fret of the 6th string you would be playing an A major scale.
Remember to use alternate picking throughout the entire scale. Practice the scale going up and practice it going down as well. Take some recordings of songs that you like, find out what key they are in, and try to play the major scale of that key along with the recording.
Good Afternoon,
I’m learning what I think are the best things for a beginner so I’m going through the Major scale but I’m confused. In this lesson it shows the Major scale in G Major and I’ve learnt it but in another lesson which is titled ‘Understanding the Major scale’ it shows a completely different Major scale in G Major, so which one is right? I understand that I’m only beginner so I have a feeling they are both right but it has something to do with knowing the guitar notes of by heart (in which case I’m sorry) but I’d like you to explain if you have the time. Stuff like this confuses me quickly. Your lessons are great and thanks!
Kieran Reade
Hey Kieran,
The two lessons you are talking about are just teaching you two different ways of playing the major scale. There is no right or wrong one. Sometimes it is just nice to have some option when playing through scales. Learn and experiment with both.
Finally I learned what the heck major scale and keys are!
Funny how I learn this years after having not played guitar in a while.
i notice in all scales theres 5 positions…..so which one do i use ina song? how do i know whether to use pos 1 or 3 or 5?..thx
It doesn’t matter which form you use. They really just help you to move your basslines all around the neck.
thanks a lot.this lesson helped me a lot.cheers!
Hello,
I’ve been playing the guitar since six days. I have been playing for 5 hours minimum each day and I really don’t know how to go about your lessons.
I have finished the beginner quick start series and memorised 2 scales. What else should I do besides practice. What should I practice more in specific? Which lessons should I be focussing on?
I really want to become a good guitarist. I’m just wondering if this is the right way to nurture my ambition.
Thank You
Hey, I’m a beginner guitarist and I dont know much about the guitar just yet but I DO know that Nate’s Practice Generator is very useful and it will tell you WHAT to practice and WHEN based on your schedule so I recommend you check it out =D
P.s.
The practice generator tells you what to learn each day according to the lessons that are posted on the site.
Michael
this is so great I’ve been playing for 12 years and never learned any scales thanks so much for this site I’m sure I’ll learn a lot
I like the D chord. Can I play the D chord shape up and down the neck as I please, rather than following wwhwwh every time. For example, I’ll strike the D chord then move up 1 fret (half a step) and then maybe 2 frets (whole step) because I like that pattern and it’s sound. So clearly I have deliberately avoided wwhwwwh, because I want to create a riff of mine. Is this “allowed” or does it go against some music theory rule?
Absolutely many thanks for your website and help
Hey.Im confused or not getting it or something. Im not even sure how to say this; you have said something about, uh, lets see… writing down the notes g,a,b,c,d,e,f#, and g. Then you said go around the fret board and try to find all the g’s. I have NO idea where the g’s are or the a, b, c, etc. Uh, could ya help me out on that please? Thanks. These are the best guitar lessons online, by the way.
Each string on the guitar is denoted by a note EADBGe. So, each string plays that note when plucked open (or no fret). Each fret on that string moves you through the note progression.
note progression:
A-A#/Bb-B-C-C#/Db-D-D#/Eb-E-F-F#/Gb-G-G#/Ab-A
note: one notes sharp is another notes flat
So, if you want to find all of the G’s: start with open low E, move through F and F#/Gb to reach G. you will find yourself on the third fret. Next, progress 12 frets to reach the next G.
once you have reached the bottom of the fret board, move to the A string and count off the note progression until you get to G, then 12 frets to the next G, and move to D, then B, next G, and lastly e.
If you do this for each note as a warm up before you play, you will begin to memorize all the notes on the guitar. This, linked with Scale practice will get you shredding through solo’s you thought out of reach. It will also help in reading sheet music as you will be able to attribute sheet music notes to string and fret using your head instead of just relying on TAB.
it seems that it is the 7th form of the major scale.
Why did you get the F# at 2nd fret instead to extend the scale to the 5th string 7th fret? that seems more in the tune to extend?
Sorry to the 2nd string of the 7th fret
I’ve noticed that my pinky finger gets a bit fatigued when playing through these (I’m a novice, but I have better technical proficiency on other instruments). Is this because my pinky isn’t strong enough yet (which more practice / strength exercises would likely fix), or might it be the way I’m holding down strings? I’m emulating the arch of your fingers in the video, which seems to be more or less how you’re supposed to use your fingers for pretty much every instrument.
can i know what are scales in guitar???
Because i’m a beginner.
can i know what are scales in guitar???
Because i’m a beginer
Been playing classic rock for years and only just now took the initiative to learn about scales…you explained it perfectly! Thanks so much
hmmm.where’s the music sheet or tabs?
again, my string is muted when i play. at the begining of the vid it said put index finger on 3rd fret of low e string and play it. nothing! my string was all mute. i don’t understand. help? please?
You’ve got great insights about Best Guitar Course Online, keep up the good work!
I am starting to understand. Starting… Beginning to make sense.
This was hugely helpful. Just got to get the pinky so it wants to do the work
Thanks, Nate! You’re really a great teacher.