The Major Scale

In this lesson we will learn how to locate any Major Key by using the Chromatic Scale as a reference.

The Major Scale is derived from the Chromatic Scale by starting at any point and using the following pattern: (Tone = 2 fret difference, Semitone = 1 fret difference)

Tone - Tone - (Semitone) - Tone - Tone - Tone - (Semitone)

Pattern                     Example
(1st note)                C
Tone
(2nd note)               D
Tone
(3rd note)                E
Semi-Tone
(4th note)                F
Tone
(5th note)                G
Tone
(6th note)                A
Tone
(7th note)                B
Semi-Tone
(8th note)                C
REPEAT

As derived from the notes in the Chromatic Scale:

[C]-[C# / Db]-[D]-[D# / Eb]-[E]-[F]-[F# / Gb]-[G]-[G# / Ab]-[A]-[A# / Bb]-[B]-[C]
1st               2nd                 3rd  4th               5th                  6th                7th  8th

We see in the above example that D (2nd note) is a Tone away from C (1st note), E (3rd note) is a Tone away from D (2nd note), F (4th note) is a Semitone away from E (3rd note), G (5th note) is a Tone away from F (4th note), A (6th note) is a Tone away from G (5th note), B (7th note) is a Tone away from A (6th note) and C (8th note) is a Semitone away from B (7th note).  This is what is meant by the phrase "Tone, Tone, Semi-Tone, Tone, Tone, Tone, Semitone".  This pattern stays consistent in all Major Keys.

In the example of the Key of Emajor, the scale begins on the open E string and follows the pattern above:

Note:  [E]-[F#]-[G#]-[A]-[B]-[C#]-[D#]-[E]
Fret:   0     2     4      5   7     9    11   12

In the example of the Key of Amajor, the scale begins on the open A string and follows the same pattern:

Note:  [A]-[B]-[C#]-[D]-[E]-[F#]-[G#]-[A]
Fret:   0     2     4    5   7     9    11   12


Notice how in both examples, the scale began on an open (unfretted) string.  Since the pattern (T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST) is exactly the same, the frets played in both examples is also exactly the same.

By now you should be able to identify all the notes in the Chromatic Scale, and you should be able to understand that each Major Key contains 7 notes, which follow the pattern (T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST).  You should be able to play and identify the notes in both the Key of Emajor and the Key of Amajor.