The major scale for the guitar is one of the most critical elements of learning the guitar. You use the major scale for building chords, measuring intervals, and building chord progressions. When you look at how we build a chord, you will see that the chord’s construction is based on the major scale intervals.
Learning the major scale is not merely about learning how to create solos. Many people think that learning scales is all about creating solos – it is much more than that. You will learn how to solo on a major scale, but knowing the major scale is the foundation of understanding music theory.
What is the Major Scale?
The major scale is a seven-step scale that is built on whole steps and half steps. No matter what note you start on (tonic), you can play the same structure up and down the neck. The major scale steps are:
W-W-H-W-W-W-H
The W equals a whole step, and the H equals a half step. Half steps are on the 3rd and 7th intervals of the scale.
Let’s take the A major scale as an example. The notes in the A scale 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.
Major Scale Guitar Positions
Like with the pentatonic scales, the major scale patterns can be played anywhere on the guitar’s neck. These patterns are movable patterns in that you play these based on the key of the song you are playing. The tonic or root note defines where you play each of these patterns on the guitar.
However, the patterns are all the same. Memorize the patterns!
We used the A major scale to illustrate how the notes are grouped on a major scale. For learning the major scale positions, we are going to be in the key of G. Why? Because it is a widely used scale, and it provides a clean start with position one on the fretboard. This makes it easy to learn.
The notes in the G scale are G-A-B-C-D-E-F♯ following the major scale intervals of W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
- The interval between G and A is a whole-step
- The interval between A and B is a whole-step
- The interval between B and C is a half-step
- The interval between D and D is a whole-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 half-step.
Major scale guitar – Pattern 1
We start with the first pattern on the scale, and this pattern starts with the root note of the scale.
The root note (G) is on the third fret of the sixth string (E). Although the first note in the scale is G, we will begin on the scale exercise on F♯ , which is the second fret on the sixth string.
Play through the scale by starting with your first finger on F♯, and then the second finger on the G, and then your fourth finger on the A (sixth string, fifth fret). Play up the scale and then back down following the fingering placement on the chart below.
Take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the notes and the fingering. Play along to the recording below. It just takes practice.
Major scale guitar – Pattern 2
Now let’s move on to the second scale pattern. Learn the connection between the first and second patterns. The patterns connect on the fifth fret, so you will already know this part of the pattern. Look at where the pattern extends to the seventh fret.
Pattern 2 is a nice easy pattern to learn. The key to pattern 2 is to remember that you are hitting all of the notes on the fifth fret and seventh fret and then adding the eighth fret on the first string, second string, and sixth string. Also, the pattern adds the fourth fret on the third and fourth strings.
I have seen many guitar players jam in this pattern by playing up and down the fifth and seventh frets and bending the strings to hit the C and G notes.
The root note is on the fourth string, fifth fret, and on the second string, eighth fret. Pay attention to where the root notes and how the octaves relate to each other.
Take your time and work through the scale paying attention to the notes and the finger placements. Work your way up and down the pattern, and then add the first pattern to your practice routine. Play along to the recording below.
Major scale guitar – Pattern 3
Take the 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 the pattern no matter what key you are playing in. The root note in the G Major scale, the third pattern, is on the fifth string, tenth fret, and the second string, eighth fret.
Major scale guitar – Pattern 4
Look at the connection between the first, second, third, and fourth patterns and understand where the root note is within the pattern.
The root note has two positions in pattern four. The root is on the fifth string, 10th fret, and the third-string, twelfth fret with the G major scale. You can play these two notes together to get that excellent octave sound. This octave can be played up and down the neck of the guitar.
Play along to the pattern four recording below, practice the pattern up the scale, and then back down.
Major scale guitar – Pattern 5
The bottom section of the pattern connects to the first section of the first pattern. There are three root notes in this pattern. Two of the root notes fall on the first string and sixth string. These root notes are an octave above the root notes in pattern one!
If you are playing this pattern on an electric guitar, you will reach this section of the guitar’s neck. If you practice on a dreadnought acoustic guitar or an acoustic guitar without a cutaway, you may have some trouble reaching the 15th fret. You will have to work on stretching your fingers to get there.
Play along to the pattern five recording below, practice the pattern up the scale, and then back down.
In summary, learning the major scale will help you long term in your guitar playing. Understanding this basic guitar theory will provide you with the skills you need to play along with songs and jam with other people.
Anyone can learn these patterns. It may seem frustrating at first, but if you continue to practice, it will become second nature to you. When you know which note in the pattern is the root, you will play any of these patterns to any song.
You do not need to worry about being fast, either – that will come. Just learn the patterns.
If you’re ready to move on, see B Major Chord for Guitar.