Major Guitar Scales

C Major Guitar Scale

The major guitar scales are fairly straight forward to strum. The major scale is created from different fixed intervals. These intervals make up the structure and pattern for the harmonic flow of most guitar songs. Intervals can be played differently to create a different sound and effect. Each note or tone has its own unique name and root for certain chords.

When playing any major guitar scale or just the guitar in general, make sure to press down hard. You might think you are rushing things if you cannot play a complete song within a couple of days but take your time. It is in your own best interest if you have a solid foundation of how to properly play the guitar. You do not want your notes to sound muffled or unclear.

The intervals on the major scale, or any scale for that matter, happen between the individual notes. This is something we call seconds. Seconds can be major or minor. These are the tones and semitones steps on the major scale. The interval C to D is a major second, whereas E to F would be a minor second. The C major guitar scale is normally played across the bridge part of the strings of the guitar. Using a smooth flowing motion simply pluck the strings as needed. The following play button is an audio clip of the C major scale.

Another thing you are going to want to keep in mind is your back. Yes, I said your back. You do not want to play the guitar all hunched over like you are passing out. Sit up straight and you will play better. Stay relaxed and keep yourself still. Most importanly though, you have to stay relaxed. You never want to tense up when playing the guitar.

Each note within the major scale has a special name attached to it. The first note of the scale is the tonic, or the root. Each note which follows after also has a name. The name sequence goes like this. Tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading note, and finally tonic again. This is the way the C major scale works as well as other scales.

A useful thing to do while practicing the major guitar scales is to memorize a simple phrase. This system is known as the "sol-fa" system. I am sure you have heard of this before. These are the words, "do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and ti". If you say each of these words while practicing the scales it will help you have an understanding of how the notes should sound. Try it and you will surprise yourself.

Be careful when you practice though. You do not have to rush through anything. Make sure you play each scale properly before you move on to the next. I would suggest several short practice sessions in the week for just one scale. This will help you learn that scale permanently and you will be able to play it quickly after you have had enough practice. You could also practice with a metronome if you have one. For more information why don't you check out Jamorama.

Every scale that you play will have a certain feel to it. You just have to practice it until you feel comfortable. It is just like anything else. You had to learn how to ride a bike, drive a car, snowboard down a hill, and so on. Each scale will come with time and patience so do not get discouraged. You can also start to change each scale to suit your own needs but only once you are comfortable with them. You can turn them into a song, melody, or any kind of riff your heart desires. Minor Guitar Scales >>