The Major Scale
The foundation of Western music
Why the Major Scale Matters
The major scale is the reference point for virtually everything in Western music. Chords, melodies, other scales, modes — they're all described in relation to the major scale. Learning it is like learning the alphabet before reading.
When people say a song sounds "happy" or "bright", it's usually because the melody follows a major scale pattern.
The Major Scale Formula
The major scale uses 7 notes selected from the 12 chromatic notes. The pattern of intervals (gaps) between each note is always:
Tone — Tone — Semitone — Tone — Tone — Tone — Semitone
Or in shorthand: T T S T T T S (also written as W W H W W H where W=whole, H=half)
Applied to C major (starting on C):
C (T) D (T) E (S) F (T) G (T) A (T) B (S) C
Notice: C major has no sharps or flats — it's all the white keys on a piano. This is why C major is always taught first.
C Major on Guitar
Here's the C major scale in open position (first 3 frets plus open strings). This uses the notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
Start on string 5, fret 3 (C) and work your way up to string 1, fret 3 (C, one octave higher). Use one-finger-per-fret where possible.
G Major
Let's try a different key. G major uses the formula T T S T T T S starting on G:
G (T) A (T) B (S) C (T) D (T) E (T) F# (S) G
G major has one sharp: F#. Every major scale in a different key will have a different combination of sharps and flats — that's what defines the key.
G major is very guitar-friendly because it starts on the open 6th string (fret 3) and uses lots of open strings.
Tab Examples
C major scale (open position)
e--------------------0--1--3-- B--------------0--1---------- G--------0--2---------------- D--0--2--3------------------- A--3-------------------------- E----------------------------
G major scale (open position)
e--------------------0--2--3-- B--------------0--3---------- G--------0--2---------------- D--0--2--4------------------- A--0--2----------------------- E--3--------------------------
Tips
- Memorise the formula: Tone Tone Semitone Tone Tone Tone Semitone
- C major = no sharps or flats (all natural notes)
- G major = one sharp (F#)
- Play the scale ascending AND descending — it's a different skill in each direction
- Say the note names as you play — this connects the sound to the theory
Practice Exercises
- Play the C major scale ascending and descending, 4 times in a row, with a metronome at 60 BPM
- Play the G major scale the same way
- Try figuring out D major using the T T S T T T S formula (start on D, string 4 open)
- Play the scale and try to sing or hum along with each note