© Owen Gurry 2008

One Octave Major Scale Positions for Guitar

Owen M. Gurry

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ISBN 978-1-906695-05-7

One Octave Major Scale Positions for Guitar

Owen M. Gurry

© Owen Gurry 2008

The Major Scale

The major scale is the basis of all western (tonal) music so a thorough understanding is essential. A scale is a series of notes/tones separated by steps. For guitarists one half step (or semitone) equals 1 fret, and one whole step (a tone) equals 2 frets.The order of these steps in a major scale is Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole - Half.Each note in the major scale is referred to as a scale degree (labelled 1 to 7). As we explore new scales, chords and arpeggios understanding these degrees will become more important.

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How To Use This Lesson.In the fretboxes overleaf the green dots are root notes. These notes give the scale it’s name e.g. C Major, A Major etc.Red dots represent all the other scale degrees The black number at the bottom of the fretbox is the fret position of your index finger. The index finger is often used as a useful reference point.The numbers at the bottom on the TAB/notation are the recomended fingers to use (see the hand diagram, below).

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Remember to play the scales both ascending and descending. Tip: notation is infinitely more useful than TAB so now might be a good time to start using it.

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© Owen Gurry 2008

All examples hereafter, are in the key of A major because it allows us to play each of the positions in order across the fretboard. The key of A major has 3 sharps (#) on F, C and G. Therefore an A major scale is spelled: A B C# D E F# G# (see lesson on key signatures for more).

We will begin by playing the scale along one string. This example is in C, starting on the 3rd fret of the A(5) string.Which fingers you use is not so important here (use one all along if you want) but make sure you pay attention to the distance (steps) between each note. Saying the names of the notes as you go along will help you begin to memorize the fretboard

This position starts on the strong index (1st) finger.

Now we will begin to look at one octave positions...

© Owen Gurry 2008

Notice how the notation for each scale is the same - being able to play the same notes in many different positions is one of the great advantages (but complexities) of playing guitar.

We’ve made it up to the 12th fret.This position starts on the weaker 4th finger so be careful not to strain anything!

This is one of the most common “shapes” for major scales.

This position might take a little longer to get used to because it starts on the weaker 4th finger.

© Owen Gurry 2008

Some tips on learning these positionsGet your fingers used to the shapes of these scales. Use a metronome to keep your all-important timing in check.Stick to alternate picking (up, down, up, down). Use the recomended fingerings. You will gradually become familiar with the sound of a major scale. Do not let these positions “live where you learnt them”; Play them in different keys. This is straightforward on guitar, just move to a new starting place. Use these positions in a musical way; put on a backing track or use them when you play with another musician.Begin to move between positions.Start using these positions to write licks, riffs and melodies that you can add to your repetoire.

Where do I use these?Over major chords.In keys that share the same name (we’ll look at this in more detail as we progress)

.Where can I hear these being used?

The major scale is so fundamental that it can be heard almost everywhere in western (tonal) music.

What Next?Look at the 6 major scale positions. Explore modes of the major scale.Use this information to start reading standard notation. Position playing (reading using these positions as a framework) is one of the most accepted routes into reading on guitar.

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Copyright Owen Gurry 2008 Cover illustration by Nathan Eaton

Music Tuition

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The major scale is the basis for understanding harmony. Being able to play scales across the fretboard is one of the basic skills required to be a versatile guitarist so this free lesson is a must.In this free lesson we are looking at one octave major scale positions across the whole fretboard using colour-coded fretboxes, standard notation and TAB.

One Octave Major Scale Positions for Guitar

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ISBN: 978-1-906695-05-7

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