Part 4: Build and use one major scale · Lesson 029 / 117
A scale is a chosen route
Construct the major scale from a sequence of steps.
A scale is an ordered collection of notes. The major scale uses a particular sequence of whole and half steps. Starting at its first note, move W–W–H–W–W–W–H, where W is two semitones and H is one.
On a single string, start at any comfortable fret and mark the accumulated movements: 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 semitones above the starting point. The final note is an octave above the first.
Notice that the pattern gives seven different note names before the octave repeats the first. Today, follow the distances slowly. In the next lesson we will name a specific version.
A scale diagram is therefore a map of a relationship, not the definition of the sound by itself. The same step pattern can begin on a different pitch or appear in another area of the neck.
Hear it
E Major Route
Audio fileFour-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.
A concrete example
From high E fret 0, the major-step route is frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12. This particular starting pitch makes it E major; naming its notes is optional today.
Fretboard view
High E (string 1) is the top line, matching guitar tablature. Select a note to hear it.
Play notes from a larger button list
One small map at a time. Hear the notes, then play the example without looking.
Try it, slowly
- Write the seven step sizes as 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1.
- Add them cumulatively, beginning at zero.
- Play the route slowly on one string, stopping when the octave is reached.
Check one idea
How many semitones do the seven steps add up to?
Show the explanation
Twelve: 2+2+1+2+2+2+1. That is one octave, so the last note repeats the first note name at a higher pitch.
A good place to stop
You can follow the major-step recipe without treating its starting point as a movement.
Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.