The Major Scale Formula Lesson 1 Music Theory Video text transcript below may be inaccurate in some areas due to software.
(The double sharp raises the sharpened note by another half step). There are three types of minor scales: natural, harmonic, and melodic. The major scale is the foundation from which all other scales are formed. This new scale is the C natural minor scale, which is usually just referred to as the C minor scale. We can also see that some degrees in the major scale are a half step apart and others a whole step apart. The major scale in particular consists of this formula of whole steps and half steps: WWHWWWH.

A half step, or semitone, is the distance between two notes played one fret apart from each other on the bass. You'll want to make sure you take the time to memorize this sequence since you'll be using it a lot in your time learning to play the guitar. Major scale formula: R, W, W, H, W, W, W, H Now, if you will use the keyboard and make a major scale starting on D, you will find that in order to key the whole step, … The Ionian scale, a major scale, is among the most frequently used in Western music. Be sure to include the black keys when counting steps. What it means is that to build a major chord, play the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes in major scale. Note Pattern (Scale Formula) The pattern of notes for major scales is W-W-H-W-W-W-H(whole – whole – half – whole – whole – whole – half). That means: two whole steps, a half step, three whole steps, a half step. EXAMPLE: You want to play a "G major" chord so use G B D. What if you want to play an "E major" chord? The major scale formula is simply a sequence of whole-steps (W) and half-steps (H). It may sound confusing, but the major scale follows this simple pattern: Pro Tip: Whole-steps are often represented by the letter W. Half-steps are represented by the letter H. Of the seven modes of the major scale, two are major (ionian, lydian), four are minor (dorian, phrygian, aolian, locrian) and one is dominant (mixolydian). In other words, by learning a single major scale pattern (for example the basic pattern shown below), you’ll be able to play any major scale, be it a C major, D major, E major, etc. The key difference between major and minor scaes is that notes on a major scale sound bright and cheerful, while notes on a minor scale sound solemn and sad. Applying that scale formula to the notes of the C major scale yields: C – D – Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb. 3 – Write down and play a C major scale, vertical approach (played across multiple strings) 4 – Build a pentatonic minor scale on a single string. Here is the scale ‘formula’ for the major scale: Major scale formula. 2 – Play an C major scale, horizontal approach (on a single string) on the guitar. of the scale. 3 - 4 = Half step. Here it is starting on the note C. From C to D is a whole step, From D to E is a whole step, 0:08 Alright, Candace Russell here doing our first week of music theory. H = half step. Simple, right? If we tried to maintain the major scale formula we’d end up needing an F double sharp. Previously, we learned about the musical alphabet and the major scale.The quality of the scale (major) is determined by the notes in it and their relationship to the tonic A word describing the tonal center of a piece of music, with other tones resolving to this note. 0:13 In this 12 week series, going over the basics of contemporary music theory, we’re going to start right here with learning the major scale formula. Scale formula. A whole step, or tone, is a distance of two frets. By using accidentals (flats, sharps, naturals) we can construct any major scale and play them. The diagram shows the A flat (A♭) Major Pentatonic Scale. The key difference between major and minor scaes is that notes on a major scale sound bright and cheerful, while notes on a minor scale sound solemn and sad. Remember that the key of "E major" has 4 sharps. The formula to build all major scales is: W W H W W W H. W = whole step. 4 - 5 = Whole step. There are three types of minor scales: natural, harmonic, and melodic. You simply move your fretting hand to the correct position on the guitar … The major scale formula is just a series of whole-steps and half-steps. 1 - 2 = Whole step. A major scale is a diatonic scale. Creating the G sharp major scale is like taking the G major scale and raising all its notes by 1 … The notes on a major scale are numbered from 1 to 8, this signifies the intervals . Formula to Form a Major Scale If that sounds a little complicated, think about like this. The formula for building a natural minor scale is whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step – whole step.