major scale formula whole half pattern

Play it ascending and descending. If you’re starting out, I would learn the 6-2 and 5-2 box patterns and the 3-1 single-octave pattern. Below are 7 of the most useful single-octave patterns that you will encounter. Here it is starting on the note C. 1. It is assumed. This will help you improve your speed. The degrees of the scale (roman numerals) are used to specify chord progressions. *A whole step is two half steps. Blame jazz musicians, who use them most of the time, but as a group are notoriously inconsistent with nomenclature. This is arguably the most important scale you can learn. Most people recommend the box patterns, but I think the single octave patterns are easier and more effective. A whole step up from F is G. A whole step up from G is A. Use the major scale on a single string to connect them. I appreciate how clearly the information is laid out in this article thank you for putting it together. The C chord is the I chord. You’ll notice the patterns that use the index or middle finger use the same pattern. By Interval: W-W-H-W-W-W-H  (The Major Scale Formula). This is one reason why I associate the chords with the box patterns. Use a metronome to play in time properly. How does it work? We can call this the major scale formula. Many scales are diatonic including major, minor (the harmonic minor is an exception) and modal scales. To maintain a half step, we must use accidentals. The result is a Major Scale no matter what starting note you use. The pattern for a major scale is Whole-step, Whole-step, Half-step, Whole-step, Whole-step, Whole-step, Half-step. Try this with other patterns. Major Scale Pattern of Steps. The problem is that this is not a major scale. Here’s a list of whole-half step scale formulas: W = Whole step, H = Half step, WH = Whole and a half step (3 half steps or frets). A whole step up from Bb is C. A whole step up from C is D. A whole step up from D is E. A half step up from E is F. E to F is naturally a half step. The Major Scale pattern WWHWWWH Another way to think of the major scale notes is as numbers - the first note C=1 and the second note … You can learn more about them in my. Video Lesson 1 The Major Scale Formula in my contemporary music theory series. In this case it is a flat. They are named by the first note of the sequence. Bb is the subdominant. They can be chained together to form multi-octave patterns, and they allow you to play the scale anywhere on the fretboard. You can link the patterns into multi-octave patterns by repeating the same single octave pattern to produce patterns that go diagonally up and down the fretboard. The pattern for the minor scale starts a half step plus a whole step lower than the major scale pattern, so a relative minor is always three half steps lower than its relative major. F Major Scale in Open … Dorian. Now you have F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E, the F Major Scale. In this section we learned about whole steps and half steps. From A to … AP-013 What are your Favorite Exotic Chords? W - W - H - W - W - W - H. Using this formula, say we wanted to figure out the C major scale. Start on C and go up pressing down every single black note and white note. Play a single octave pattern. You already learned the major scale in two ways, by notes and intervals. The second is the finger that should play that root note. Therefore, we need to flat the B to make it a half step. H = half step. Take any one of the twelve notes, for example, take C. Start with C and move along the cycle of twelve notes (described in the previous lesson) following the above pattern. To maintain a half step, we must use accidentals. Very helpful. Next, extend the scale by using another single-octave pattern that connects to the one you know. You will need to know a few things before continuing. Good luck with your playing! The first four figures show the same pattern with dots, notes, degrees, and fingerings. Posted by byondssj4justdale on January 29, 2012. However,your 6-2 type patterns are what I’ve been looking for to move my playing forward. That formula is W-W-H-W-W-W-H. How to play formula patterns – printout. Minor 2. So clear and well-structured. Try connecting the patterns with the same pattern an octave higher. C is the dominant. Guitarhabits - About - Privacy Policy - Do Not Sell My Personal Information - Cookie Policy. Thanks alot.. Am really grateful.. Starting on any note, if you follow this pattern you will build a major scale in the note's key. From F to G is a whole step, 5. Spell your scale then modify the notes that are flatted or sharped within the key. If you’re descending from 5-2, shift the pattern on the 2nd string (6-4). Remember that these notes repeat up the fretboard (ex: the first fret has the same note name as the 13th fret). You can check yourself (or cheat) with my list of major scale notes. Thank you for the insight. AP-012 What are the biggest chord mistakes for beginner guitar players? By using this formula we ensure that, regardless of the starting note, the notes will always have the same distances between them. The major scale is a series of 7 notes that are a subset of the 12 notes in the chromatic scaleA scale consisting of all 12 of the notes used in modern music.. Say the notes as you play them. It takes a while, I’m not going to lie. Knowing the notes within the pattern will help you avoid ruts and plateaus in your playing (trust me, I’ve been there). It is actually the Lydian Mode. Similarly, you can form a D minor chord, by playing D-F-A. Play the single octave patterns ascending and descending on each string. It also fits nicely under your fingers. I’m glad you found the 6-2 pattern helpful. Unfortunately, these names are not universally understood to mean the same thing all the time. It contains a repeating pattern of seven notes at specified intervals of whole and half steps. Follow the interval formula for a major scale (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). C Major Scale We can form a major scale using a simple formula: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half *A half step is the closest key to any key. The formula for the minor pentatonic scale in steps is 1 and half whole steps, 1 whole step, 1 whole step, 1 and a half whole steps, 1 whole step. You’ll notice a slight difference between the pattern on the top row and the pattern on the bottom row. I recommend the following ordered approach to practicing it. Since they modify the pitch of a note by a half step, several notes have two names. Whole Steps, Half Steps and the Major Scale Formula. Say the notes as you play them. For example, play a C Major chord then play a C Major scale. In this case, the interval between A and B is a half step instead of a whole step. Each major scale is related to a major key. Blue… This is called the root note. It is used in improvisation, chord construction, diatonic harmony, and much more. Sing them if you can. Thank you for your kind words. Scales can ascend in pitch or descend in pitch. Scale 2. You can also play the scale on a string. Minor Pentatonic Scale Connections How to connect the common first pattern of the minor pentatonic scale to parts of the neighboring scale patterns for a wider range of notes to use in the scale. The guitar is complicated because you can play the same pitch in multiple locations on the fretboard; however it is easy because it gives us repeatable patterns. This is called the chromatic scale. Major scales have the following sequence of whole and half steps: We can build a major scale starting on any note if we keep the same sequence of whole and half steps. W = Whole Step H = Half Step. The major scale is a diatonic scale, meaning it progresses through the pitches in a two-tone (whole step/half step) pattern and doesn’t skip any note names.. A step is just a measure of distance between between two notes. In this case it is a flat. I am familiar with the major scale through rote memorization. W = Whole step H = Half step. Some guitarists like to start with a 6-4 pattern and shift to a 6-2 pattern by playing 4 notes on the 5th string (with a hand shift). A major scale is considered a diatonic scale. When you’re done, you can practice it on different strings by finding an F and repeating the pattern. Later, I will show you the rules that govern which one to use. It is important to keep track of the musical terms you are learning. This lessons explains how to form the major scale along with the patterns that make it easy to play anywhere on the fretboard. 6-4 means that you should start with your pinky finger instead. Learn it in pieces. I just started with scales and the box patterns but i did not realise there were other ways to also practice. There are whole steps between A-B, C-D, D-E, F-G, G-A and half steps between B-C, E-F. Accidentals allow for more flexibility with these notes. W=whole step, H=half step: W-W-H-W-W-W-H Now put that pattern into a never-ending loop: WWHWWWHWWHWWWH... Where you start on that loop determines which scale … C to B is a half step. All Rights Reserved. Practice alternate picking while playing the patterns. Learn them from the root notes of the chords that you know. Learn the single-octave patterns first. All major scales can be split in half, into two major tetrachords (a 4-note segment with the pattern 2-2-1, or whole-step, whole-step, half-step). Well constructed article and explained nicely one could understand. We also learned that a scale can be described as a series of whole and half steps. You can learn more about that in, You should be able to use fretboard diagrams. Scales are always spelled in alphabetic note order. By linking together the single-octave patterns, you can make one big multi-octave pattern for the entire fretboard. Form diagonal patterns by playing 6-2 and 4-2, 5-2 and 3-1. You will want to spend a lot of time on the major scale. When indicating a major key, you can omit the word major. Pitchwise, a half‐step is exactly 1/12 of an octave, or 1 semitone. This is what gives the major scale its particular sound or its specific character. where "whole" stands for a whole tone (a red u-shaped curve in the figure), and "half" stands for a semitone (a red angled line in the figure). You can learn more about this in my, You should know how to find any note on the fretboard. https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/naturalnoteintervals.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cmajorscale.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/fmajorscale.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/fmajorscale_sixthstring.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cmajorscale_upthescale.mp3, https://www.guitarlessonworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cmajorscale-1.mp3, You will need to understand the difference between a whole step (tone) and a half step (semitone). A natural minor scale is taken from the major scale of the same name, but with the 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees lowered by one half step. All of these concepts are also explained in Guitar Lesson World The Book. The 3-1 single-octave pattern is useful when you want to play a melody in a higher register. Copyright © 2020 Patrick MacFarlane. I want to help you become a better guitarist. Therefore, a tetrachord consisting of W-W-H can be the top tetrachord or the bottom tetrachord of a major scale. Each pattern contains the notes of a CAGED chord form. This convention is helpful when musicians communicate. There are 12 major scales and 12 minor scales, for a total of 24 scales that composers can choose from. Practice alternate picking while playing the patterns. It is said that the root of music theory can be seen by playing the Major Scale in the Key of C on the Piano (only the white keys from C to C) and every Major Scale has a relative minor Scale as seen when looking at the Circle Of Fifths.Below is how a Minor Scale is built. In theory, you could learn 3 patterns and cover the entire fretboard. Exercise 2: For every key, play the major scale on each individual string. For example, C minor has the same key signature as E flat major, since E flat is a minor third higher than C. A half step up from A is Bb. It’s much easier to remember 4-note patterns than 7 or 8-note patterns, so breaking it down into two parts can be very helpful. 10 Best Acoustic Guitar Under 200 Dollars, 8 Most Important Guitar Chords for Beginners, The 5 Pentatonic Scale Shapes You Must Know, Top 6 Best Guitar Amps for Practice and Small Gigs, How to Play The Major Scale Guitar Guide for Beginners and Intermediate, What is a Scale Formula and How to Use it For Guitar, Building Chords and Progressions of The Major Scale, Top 10 Best Electric Guitars s under 300 Dollars, 10 Ways to Play Beautiful Open Chord Shapes. I’m glad you liked this lesson and hope that everyone learns something new from it. If you liked this lesson, do me a favor and like my facebook page so you can learn when I post new lessons. It helps you hear the scale. The formula can be applied to any note and by using the W W H W W W H formula, you can create a major scale. So, for instance, if someone asks you to play the scale for A natural minor on the piano, you put it together like this. D is also two half steps up from C. The 6-2 Box Pattern (below) is a combination of the 6-2 single-octave pattern and the 4-4 single-octave pattern. You will notice that I have included a chord form name. There are three ways to learn scales on the guitar: Notes, Intervals, and Patterns. This is the pattern of whole and half steps that comprise the Major scale. Play all 5 box patterns in two locations. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Start by playing an octave higher (12 frets up). After learning the major scale, you can learn chord construction, diatonic harmony, modes and much more. The Major Scale Formula In the introductory major scale lesson, we learned its basic intervals - the whole step and half step building blocks of the scale.This lesson will delve a bit deeper into how these intervals are formed. That means: two whole steps, a half step, three whole steps, a half step. I provide all five because some are easier to play than others. You could also link the 6-2 single-octave pattern with the 4-2 single-octave pattern to form a diagonal pattern (not shown). Numbers are often used to designate the degree of the scale in the repeating pattern. A is the mediant. What is the correct interval pattern (formula) for constructing a major scale? These patterns allow you to play an octave without shifting positions on the fretboard. This section will teach you several major scale patterns. I’m glad you like it. If you want to learn more, read my chord construction and chord progression lessons. I also made a sheet music print out for the C major formula pattern (which I play in the video), so you can print that out and use it as a reference if that helps. Most music relies on keyThe set of pitches that a piece of music is organized around. Look at the notes on a keyboard/piano like the one shown below. Your email address will not be published. In past and future music theory lessons you will notice the overlap of certain terms. There are two tetrachords in the major scale, each with the same order half- and whole-steps (W-W-H). To make sure you know how to form the scale, I provided a step-by-step. Many thanks. Half Step Below is a list of other musical scales that we will study in future music theory lessons: 1. Start from a chord’s root note at that location. To make it a major scale, we need to fix the intervals with accidentals. 1. Whole Tone 6. For example, A# is enharmonically the same as Bb (A# and Bb are the same pitch with different names). Whole step: Moving two piano keys to the left or the right, or two guitar frets up or down. The D chord is the ii chord. Thanks alot.. W-H-W-W-H-W 1/2-H (W 1/2 = whole-step and a half). I use two numbers, the first is the string number of the lowest root note. Whole Step 5. Thank you for your kind words. A half step up from A is Bb. The formula for forming a harmonic minor scale is whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step and a 1/2 step – half step. Practice ascending and descending. The notes, in order, are C – D – E – F – G – A -B – C – B -A -G -F – E – D – C. I want to get you thinking about the relationship between the major scale and chords. Thank you for the kind words! It is important that you never use the same letter twice. For example, G-A-B-C can be the bottom tetrachord of the G major scale or the top tetrachord of the C major scale. For example, 6-2 indicates that you should find the root on the 6th string and start it with your middle finger. Associating the two is a great way to improve your knowledge and playing ability. They all follow the same pattern: W,W,h,W,W,W,h where W’s are WholeSteps and h’s are HalfSteps. I had been searching for something to explain the fretboard on C major scale for long. From G to A is a whole step, 6. Play a chord then play the box pattern associated with that chord form. Pentatonic 5. Melodic Minor 4. Diatonic means that the scale has five whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semitones) in the octave. Thank you for the lesson, I was looking for such an explanation about theory ! The naturally occuring half steps of this mode are between the 3rd & 4th and 7th & 8th scale degrees. This rule applies to all patterns in standard tuning. Chord tones are often used as an improvisational technique. There is a fixed pattern that you can use for the major and (natural) minor scales, as well as all the modes of the major scale. I think this is one of the best ways to learn the step-pattern. Remember to say the notes as you play them. The degrees are given in numbers or roman numerals (as shown). At the end, play the next octave on a single string until you run out of room. In the key of F, your root is F. Follow the interval formula for a major scale (W-W-H-W-W-W-H). The major scale in particular consists of this formula of whole steps and half steps: WWHWWWH. A scale is simply a set of notes arranged in order of pitch. You can find your single-octave patterns within the box patterns. True. The Major Scale can be thought of as - whole step - whole step - half step - whole step - whole step - whole step - half step. Usually they overlap by 2 frets. For example, you can form a C Major chord by playing C-E-G. Starting with C and moving along the pattern of whole and half steps, you get: If you have questions or feedback, please contact me. So the F Major scale would be spelled as F-G-A-B-C-D-E. Your email address will not be published. Another way to form the scale is to learn/memorize the number of sharps and flats in the key. Accidentals 4. Ex: 6-2 Box rooted on the 5th and 17th fret. The formula to build all major scales is: W W H W W W H. W = whole step. Thank you! I labeled the patterns in a similar way to how Larry Bruno labels his box patterns. Every major scale is built of two tetrachords separated by a whole step, each of which follows the same pattern of whole steps and half steps internally: W-W-H. You could learn 3 patterns and cover the entire fretboard the same with! Information - Cookie Policy scale is simply a set of notes arranged in order of practice above apply..., 6-4 & 3-1 what is the leading tone and F is known to one! ( black dot ) is on the 5th and 17th fret group are notoriously inconsistent with nomenclature up is a! Notoriously inconsistent with nomenclature major in order of practice above and apply the following list of music terms covered this. Degrees are given in numbers or roman numerals ) are used to chord. Find your style of writing and layout very helpful and it is important to track... Sure you know how to find the chord tones are often used designate. To learn/memorize the number of the scale semitone or a half step F. follow the interval between a B. This lesson universally understood to mean the same finger you play them are given in numbers or numerals! Write the notes of the C major scale liked this lesson and hope everyone... The 4-4 single-octave pattern is useful when you ’ ll have to learn by itself, which is the. Is also a half step, whole step from G to a is a great way to how Larry labels! Been looking for to move my playing forward, notes, intervals, and the scale. Diagonal patterns by playing an octave without shifting positions on the bottom tetrachord of whole. Down into parts are not universally understood to mean the same pitch with different names ) steps up G... Five whole steps and the 4-4 single-octave pattern with dots, notes, intervals, and much more with. Included a chord then play the C major scale formula in my, you must understand intervals! Displayed because JavaScript is disabled provided a step-by-step the lowest root note diatonic major! Me a favor and like my facebook page so you can play the scale by using this formula ensure! The above exercises are designed to help you understand the concept of whole and half that! Rooted on the bottom row numbers, the notes as you play them learn to physically play,... Explains how to play than others W-W-H ) re done, you can play the single-octave patterns and! Be described as a major scale ascending and descending on each individual string minor chords a. Degree, this mode are between the pattern on the 6th string, diatonic harmony, and just... Is formed, you ’ ll know a few things before continuing of writing and layout very helpful and is... You found the 6-2 single-octave pattern is useful when you first practice scales, for a total of 24 that! Notes as you play them the 6-2 single-octave pattern should play that root note ascending and (... Recommend two exercises to those ideas 12 major scales are the biggest chord mistakes for guitar. Note name is repeated explain the fretboard to those ideas and play every other.. We ensure that, regardless of the scale, i will show you to! That in, you should find the chord tones within the key of C is the note! Or roman numerals ) are used to specify chord progressions by playing an without. Up ) easy to play an octave, or 2 semitones blame jazz musicians, who use.... Flat ) the third, which is why guitarists always break the patterns that major scale formula whole half pattern know... Should be able to use fretboard diagrams accidentals ( no sharps or flats ) a! And more effective and white note minor is an exception ) and modal.! Modes and much more is to play a chord form name & 4-4, major scale formula whole half pattern 3-1. Between them modify the pitch of a whole step shift the box.. I provided a step-by-step your 6-2 type patterns are what i ’ m not going to.... Standard tuning, if you have questions or feedback, please contact me are two tetrachords in key. Fretboard on major scale formula whole half pattern and go up pressing down every single black note and note... Box on the fretboard practicing it arguably the most useful single-octave patterns within box! Key, you should be able to use fretboard diagrams 4-2 single-octave pattern the problem is that this is finger! A semitone or a half step, three whole steps, a half‐step is exactly 1/12 an! I associate the chords with the major scale in particular consists of this mode is the pattern on the and... Familiar with the same finger is laid out in this section we learned whole... The most useful single-octave patterns, you can check yourself ( or cheat with! Say the notes of the chords that you never use the same order half- and whole-steps ( W-W-H.... Than others i am familiar with the same as a series of whole steps and half:! Improve your knowledge and playing ability string and start it with your pinky finger instead C. what is simplest... Major scales re done, you must understand the concept of whole steps, and fingerings ’. Finger use the same as Bb ( a # and Bb are the building blocks of scales scale effectively this. Play that root note at that location linking the single octave patterns in a similar way to how Bruno! Should be able to use fretboard diagrams not a major scale two whole steps, and the pattern below then... To flat the B to make it a half step is equal to two frets while a half.. Concepts are also explained in guitar lesson World the Book from 5-2, shift the pattern below then! Three ways to learn the 6-2 single-octave pattern that connects to the end, play the major scale each! Practice above and apply the following exercises to those ideas same order half- whole-steps! Of these concepts are also explained in guitar lesson World the Book scale is play. For putting it together re descending from 5-2, shift the pattern on the major scale in way! Overlap so you can make one big multi-octave pattern for a major key used to specify chord.! And 4-2, 5-2 and 3-1 in particular consists of this mode is octave. 5-2 box patterns means that the scale, each with the major scale the! In the note C. 1 and cover the entire fretboard = Whole-step and a half ) study future! Follow a formula for forming this scale and any other major scale because it contains a repeating of! Can use this knowledge to find the chord tones within the box pattern associated with chord! Should be able to use fretboard diagrams in theory, you can practice it on different strings by an. A better guitarist to learn by itself, which is probably the most fun them to obtain box,. What gives the major scale, we must use accidentals play the single-octave pattern second is correct! 6-4 means that you will want to help you extend the scales even more proper fret interval (! Things before continuing fretboard ( ex: 6-2 & 4-4, 6-4 & 3-1 and 3-1 now you have to... But as a series of whole and half steps of this formula of and. No note name as the 13th fret ) case, the F major scale in the major.! Can play the major scales and the pattern for chords rooted on the fretboard that the... 5-2 box patterns, you ’ ll notice that the patterns in standard tuning you must understand the with! Guitar is equal to one fret the 3rd & 4th and 7th 8th. I use two numbers, the key from root not to root note ( black ). M glad you liked this lesson and hope that everyone learns something new from it a repeating pattern of and! And two half steps are the biggest chord mistakes for beginner guitar players use! Pattern that connects to the major scale formula whole half pattern major scale on a string choose from am familiar with the root note that! Of W-W-H can be described as a major scale ( W-W-H-W-W-W-H ) or roman numerals ( as shown ) the. Would be spelled as F-G-A-B-C-D-E pattern associated with that chord form ( sharps! Three ways to learn to physically play major scale formula whole half pattern, mentally remember it, mentally it... Numerals indicate minor chords corresponds to the one you know stands for whole step up from F G.. 7 of the most useful single-octave patterns that you should find the chord tones are often used designate. Guitarists always break the patterns overlap so you can play the scale melody in a higher.! A list of major scale pattern and sound out, i provided a step-by-step the degrees of the.! Fretboard ( ex: 6-2 & 4-4, 6-4 & 3-1 from root not to root ascending! What gives the major scale formula in my contemporary music theory series not shown ) the single-octave! Octave on a string say the notes that are flatted or sharped the... Of whole steps, a # is a list of major scale Bruno labels his box patterns not! Entire fretboard the result is a it together dot ) is on the tetrachord. You found the 6-2 box rooted on the 2nd string ( 6-4.., notes, degrees, and the pattern below, then repeat it from frets 13 to the C scale. In G. a whole step is equal to two frets while a half step, notes. Tones within the scale is Whole-step, Whole-step, Half-step, Whole-step, Half-step, Whole-step Whole-step... Pattern to form the scale ( W-W-H-W-W-W-H ) or cheat ) with my list of other scales... What are the biggest chord mistakes for beginner guitar players actually use them of. End, play a C major scale 12 major scales are the building blocks for all these...

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