When I started to learn guitar, the last thing on my mind was learning scales. It was learning my favourite songs. I had zero interest in them. None! With that being said, I think it’s still very important to highlight the importance of the major scale. Why? HERE’S WHY.
Using the major scale
In the simplest of terms, much like the pentatonic scales we’ve talked about in previous posts, learning the notes of this scale will help you develop an ear for improvising over chords in your favourite songs!
Like the pentatonic scales, there are five shapes that follow the CAGED system. Because each chord shape is built around a scale. But the good thing about the major scale (and the minor scale, more on that another day…) is that there are more notes at your disposal. Sometimes, the pentatonic scale, major or minor just doesn’t quite give you enough to work with!
Why learn the major scale?
The foundation of western harmony is arguably built around this guitar scale. So learning it will ensure you’re all set for improvising your own solos and understanding solos written by others. On top of that, this is a huge basis for music theory in general. So yeah, you’ll want to learn it!
So many great songs and chord progressions allow the major scale to seamlessly fit over the top. But a scale such as, say, the minor pentatonic would sound kinda lousy over the top. Imagine trying to solo over Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, or I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness using just minor pentatonic notes? Pretty boring! A lot of their emotive qualities are drawn from the extra notes afforded by the major scale.
Our old friend the interval
The intervals for this scale are pretty easy to follow. Let’s have a look in the key of C.
| Degree | Interval | Note in C | Chord |
| 1st | Root | C | C major |
| 2nd | Major 2nd | D | D minor |
| 3rd | Major 3rd | E | E minor |
| 4th | Perfect 4th | F | F major |
| 5th | Perfect 5th | G | G major |
| 6th | Major 6th | A | A minor |
| 7th | Major 7th | B | B diminished |
Using the intervals and knowing how chords are built up (for example a triad being the 1st, 2nd and 3rd intervals) we can figure out what notes make up the chords in our key.
Pattern one
Why am I only going to show you one pattern in this post? Well partly because you can quickly find the shapes online, no problem. But the focus here is to ensure we are using the major scale effectively rather than just hammering through the shapes. To start with, focus on nailing pattern one, and learning how to implement it.
Although 4th in the CAGED system, most (including me!) would consider this pattern one. It corresponds with the 1st barre chord most would learn, which helps us learn to use it. This is a transposable shape, so figure out what chords you can use it over in your favourite songs.
Before you dive into improvising with it, make sure you learn the pattern properly. The knock on effect of learning the pattern will be your overall technique development. So even more reason to practice it! It’s a great way to introduce synchronisation and fluidity to your hands. Obviously this is a little different to using the scale to make melodies and effectively improvise, but it’s a good introduction to them!
What next?
When you’re confident with this shape, start exploring more patterns one at a time. Learn how to use the next one on it’s own, how to improvise and make music with it! Once there, practice linking the two shapes you’ve learnt together. Work on improvising with them both as though the two shapes are one big pattern.
After this, we can get jamming! So why not hit me up and we’ll work on jamming together?