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:
- 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”.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Say, “My starting note is C” and then play it.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.