A Major Scale Guitar

In this lesson, we will work in the key of A with the A major scale guitar.  The A major scale is one of my favorite guitar scales.  There are so many songs that you can apply this scale to that it is advantageous to know. If you need a more top level view, see our guide on guitar strings and notes.

The notes in the A major scale for guitar are A-B-C♯-D-E-F♯-G♯ following the major scale intervals of W-W-H-W-W-W-H

• The interval between A and B is a whole-step
• The interval between B and C♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between C♯ and D is a half-step
• The interval between D and E is a whole-step
• The interval between E and F♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between F♯ and G♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between G♯ and A is a half-step

A Major Scale Guitar Patterns

Pattern 1

We start with the first pattern on the scale.  The root note is on the fifth fret of the sixth string (E).  The scale starts on the root note, which is A.  Play through the pattern one major scale by starting with your second finger on the A, and then your fourth finger on the B (sixth string, seventh fret). Play up the scale and then back down.

Take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the notes and the fingering.  I usually have students say the notes out loud as the play through the scale.

Pattern 2

Move on to the second pattern of the scale.  Take time to learn the first pattern, and then understand the connection between the first and second pattern.

Pattern 2 is an easy pattern to learn.  The key to pattern two is to remember that you are hitting all of the notes on the seventh fret and ninth fret and then adding the tenth fret on the first, second, and sixth strings and adding the fourth fret on the third and fourth strings.

I have seen many guitars player play up and down the seventh and ninth frets and bending the strings to hit the D and A notes.

The root note is on the fourth string, seventh fret, and the second string tenth fret.

Again, take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the guitar notes and the fingering. Work your way up and down the pattern, and then add the first pattern to your practice routine.

Pattern 3

Move on to the third pattern of the A major scale.  Take time to learn the first pattern and second patterns before moving on to the third pattern.  Look at the connection between the first, second, and third patterns and understand where the root note is within it.

The root note will always be in the same position of pattern no matter what key you are playing in.  The root note in the A Major scale, the third pattern is on the fifth string 12^th fret and the second string, 10^th fret.

Pattern 4

Let’s move on to the fourth pattern of the A major guitar scale.  Take time to learn the first pattern, second and third patterns before moving on to the fourth pattern.  Look at the connection between the first, second, and third patterns and understand where the root note is within it.

The fourth pattern connects to the third pattern on the 12^th fret.  The root note is on the fifth string, 12th fret, and the third-string 14^th fret.

Pattern 5

This pattern may be hard to reach if you play this on an acoustic guitar without a cutaway.  The pattern starts on the 11^th fret and extends to the 16^th fret.  However, this pattern connects to the first pattern of the A major scale on guitar beginning on the first and second fret.

The root notes are on the 14th fret of the third string, and both E strings on the 17^th fret.  Notice the notes of the octave in this pattern.

If you begin the scale on the first and second guitar frets, the root notes are on the third string second fret, and both E strings on the fifth fret.  This pattern is much easier to work within the A scale.