Scales and modes
Major scale
The major scale is a seven-note scale built on the pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half step: C major gives C D E F G A B.
What is the major scale?
The major scale is the reference scale of Western music: intervals, scale degrees and chords are all named from it. It has seven notes, the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, and always follows the same pattern of steps:
whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (W-W-H-W-W-W-H).
In C major that gives C D E F G A B, with no sharps or flats: the two half steps fall between E and F and between B and C. In G major you need an F# to keep the pattern: G A B C D E F#. On the guitar a whole step is two frets on the same string, a half step is one fret.
In the language of modes, the major scale is also called the Ionian mode.
How do you see the formula on one string?
The clearest way to hear the pattern is to play the scale along a single string. G major on the G string, starting from the open string:
| Fret | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | G | A | B | C | D | E | F# | G |
| Step | W | W | H | W | W | W | H |
Count the frets: 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1. This pattern never changes, whatever note you start on. Start at the 3rd fret of the A string and you get C major (frets 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15).
Notice that the scale splits into two identical halves (W-W-H) joined by a whole step: G A B C, then D E F# G.
How do you play the major scale on the neck?
G major in 2nd position (frets 2 to 5), root on the low E string at the 3rd fret:
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (low E) | 2, 3, 5 | F# G A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B C D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E F# G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A B C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D E |
| 1 (high E) | 2, 3, 5 | F# G A |
For one octave, start on G at the 3rd fret (middle finger), then A at the 5th (pinky), B and C at the 2nd and 3rd frets of the A string, D at the 5th, then E, F# and G at the 2nd, 4th and 5th frets of the D string. One finger per fret, with your index finger parked on the 2nd fret.
The shape is movable: slide it up two frets (root at the 5th fret) and you are in A major. For the other positions and keys, show the scale in intervals with the scales and chords tool.
Which chords come from the major scale?
Stack thirds on each note and you get the seven diatonic chords of the key:
| Degree | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C major | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | Bdim |
| G major | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F#dim |
As seventh chords: Cmaj7, Dm7, Em7, Fmaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7♭5. The 6th degree gives the relative minor: A minor uses exactly the same notes as C major.
Exercise: play G 320003, C x32010, D xx0232, G, two bars each, record it, then improvise over it with the G major position above, ending every phrase on a G.
Key takeaways
- Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, steps W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
- C major: C D E F G A B; G major: G A B C D E F#.
- On one string: 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 frets.
- It gives the chords I ii iii IV V vi vii° and is the parent of the modes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the major scale and the major pentatonic?
The major pentatonic drops two notes from the major scale: the 4th and the 7th. G major, G A B C D E F#, becomes G A B D E. Without its two half steps, the pentatonic has no notes that clash, which is why it is so easy to improvise with.
How do I find the notes of any major scale?
Start on the tonic and apply W-W-H-W-W-W-H, using each letter name exactly once. For D major: D E F# G A B C#, so two sharps. The key signature gives you the sharps or flats directly.
Do I need to learn all five positions of the major scale?
Eventually yes, but one at a time. First master the position above while saying the degrees out loud, then learn the neighbouring one. Thinking in degrees rather than shapes lets you connect positions and change key without effort.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.