Scale Basics

A scale is a sequence of notes arranged in a specific pattern of whole-steps (W) and half-steps (H). The two most common scales in Western music are the major scale and the natural minor scale.

The Major Scale

The C major scale is commonly used to introduce the major scale because it contains only natural notes (no sharps or flats). On a piano, it consists of all the white keys from C to C.

 

 

C Major Scale

C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

Scale Degrees

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8

Whole-Step / Half-Step Formula

W – W – H – W – W – W – H

This pattern is the same for every major scale. Only the note names change.

Example: E Major

To build an E major scale, start on E and follow the same whole-step/half-step formula.

(Insert E Major Scale Diagram)

E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E

The key of E major contains four sharps:
• F♯
• G♯
• C♯
• D♯

By applying the W–W–H–W–W–W–H formula from any starting note, you can construct the major scale in every key.

The Natural Minor Scale

Below is the A natural minor scale beginning on the open A string, with the whole-step half-step formula shown in the illustration.

The A natural minor scale is commonly used to introduce the minor scale because it contains only natural notes (no sharps or flats). On a piano, it consists of all the white keys from A to A.

A Natural Minor Scale

A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A

Scale Degrees

1 – 2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7 – 8

Whole-Step / Half-Step Formula

W – H – W – W – H – W – W

1
♭2
2♭3
3
4
♭5
5♭6
6
♭7
7
1
ABCDEFGA

Notice that the natural minor scale differs from the major scale by three scale degrees:
• ♭3
• ♭6
• ♭7

Like the major scale, this interval pattern remains the same in every key. Only the starting note changes.

The lowered 3ʳᵈ, 6ᵗʰ, and 7ᵗʰ give the natural minor scale its characteristic sound.

Practice

To practice the notes of the major and natural minor scales from the open strings (E–A–D–G–B), try the Scale Tones app from the Guitar Intervals Unleashed series.

Features include:
• Major and natural minor scales.
• Open-string roots (E, A, D, G, B).
• Interactive note recognition.
• Available on Google Play and the App Store.