Playing a Scale

At this point, you don’t even have to know the note names to play a scale. As long as you follow the pattern of whole steps and half-steps, you’ll get a major scale. One more thing – the term root note is the same as the 1st degree. The first note is the start, or root, of the scale. It’s common to label the 1st degree with the letter R (for root) rather than with the number 1.

  1. Play the 3rd fret at the 3rd string and just say “Root note” as you play it.
  2. Say, “From one to two is a whole step,” move up a whole step and play the 2nd degree.
  3. Say, “From two to three is a whole step,” move up a whole step and play the 3nd degree.
  4. Say, “From three to four is a half-step,” move up a half-step and play the 4th degree.
  5. Say, “From four to five is a whole step,” move up a whole step and play the 5th degree.
  6. Say, “From five to six is a whole step,” move up a whole step and play the 6th degree.
  7. Say, “From six to seven is a whole step,” move up a whole step and play the 7th degree.
  8. Say, “From seven to eight is a half-step,” move up a half-step and play the 8th degree.
  9. You just played a B♭ scale because you started on a B♭ note and followed the pattern!

Your Turn

Now play a scale of your choosing. Pick any fret on any string as your starting point (root note). Follow the pattern of WWHWWWH to play the major scale. Finally, go back to the root note and figure out what note it is so you know what scale you just played. You’ll need to use your ears and really listen as you play to make sure it “sounds right” and that you didn’t mix up the formula. Do this now. I’ll wait…

Looking Ahead

In the next chapter, you’ll figure out the note names for every major scale! Until then, try this chapter’s Challenge.