Scale Names

When the term scale is used by itself with only a note name, it’s understood it’s a major scale. For example, C scale means C major scale and F scale means F major scale. If we want a different scale, we have to use its full name, like C melodic minor scale. So – let’s play a C scale on one string. Grab your guitar and follow the steps:

  1. Since we want a C scale, we need to find a C note to start. Let’s choose the 2nd string at the 1st fret. We’ll also label the degree below the note. Play it and say out loud, “First degree, C”.
  2. Now, say out loud, “From one to two is a whole step. A whole step higher than C is D.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the D.
  3. Now, say out loud, “From two to three is a whole step. A whole step higher than D is E.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the E.
  4. Now, say out loud, “From three to four is a half-step. A half-step higher than E is F.” Move up a half-step (one fret) and play the F.
  5. Now, say out loud, “From four to five is a whole step. A whole step higher than F is G.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the G.
  6. Now, say out loud, “From five to six is a whole step. A whole step higher than G is A.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the A.
  7. Now, say out loud, “From six to seven is a whole step. A whole step higher than A is B.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the B.
  8. Finally, say out loud, “From seven to eight is a half-step. A half-step higher than B is C.” Move up a half-step (one fret) and play the C.

A Different C Scale

Now let’s play another C scale, but at a different location on the neck. The steps are the same. First, find your starting note. Let’s use the C note at the 3rd fret of the 5th string.

  1. Say, “My starting note is C” and then play it.
  2. Say, “From one to two is a whole step. A whole step higher than C is D.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the D at the 5th fret.
  3. Say, “From two to three is a whole step. A whole step higher than D is E.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the E at the 7th fret.
  4. Say, “From three to four is a half-step. A half-step higher than E is F.” Move up a half-step (one fret) and play the F at the 8th fret.
  5. Say, “From four to five is a whole step. A whole step higher than F is G.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the G at the 10th fret.
  6. Say, “From five to six is a whole step. A whole step higher than G is A.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the A at the 12th fret.
  7. Say, “From six to seven is a whole step. A whole step higher than A is B.” Move up a whole step (two frets) and play the B at the 14th fret.
  8. Say, “From seven to eight is a half-step. A half-step higher than B is C.” Move up a half-step (one fret) and play the C at the 15th fret.