C Major Scale Guitar (Beginner lesson)
????Discover the 5 MUST-KNOW chords and scales to play in ANY style anywhere on the neck FREE PDF GUIDE→ https://www.jonmaclennan.com/fretboardguide
C Major Scale Guitar (Beginner Lesson)
Let’s talk about how to play the C major scale on guitar. This scale is a great scale to know whether you are a beginner or an advanced player.
In this post, I’ll share two different ways to play the C major scale on guitar. How to practice the C major scale. Songs that are in the key of C and use the C major scale. Plus we’ll even cover some music theory and a few other common questions about the C major scale.
So make sure you’re tuned up. And let’s get started!
What is the C major scale on guitar?
The C major scale on guitar is just a series of 7 notes in a row. It is a way of grouping together a specific set of notes. The C major scale serves as a foundation for understanding music theory, chord construction, and melody creation. It’s used as a reference point for establishing keys and building chords and harmonies within the key of C major.
What notes are in the C major scale?
The notes in the C major scale are:
C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C
These are the natural notes (i.e., no sharps or flats) within the C major scale. Each note has a unique letter name, and they follow a specific pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H).
If you played the C major scale on a piano keyboard, you would start on the note C and play all the white keys from C to the next C, including both C notes.
On the guitar, you can play the C major scale in various positions and across different frets.
This scale pattern starts on the note C on the 3rd fret of the 5th string. It ascends up the scale to the octave on the 1st fret 2nd string. The easiest way to start is to play each one of these notes with downstrums in the strum hand. Make sure you are getting each note clean and playing close to the frets.
What fingers do you use for C major scale?
For the fretting hand what you want to do is match the frets to the fingers. For example, if you play the 3rd fret then use your 3rd finger in the fretting hand. Basically, they match up. This is called playing “in position”. It refers to using a simple system within a specific fret range on the neck of the guitar, typically spanning four frets.
When playing in position, you generally keep your hand and fingers within a fixed span on the neck, allowing you to play notes and patterns without excessive hand movement up and down the neck. This technique can help you navigate the fretboard more efficiently and develop a better understanding of scale patterns and note relationships.
What is the formula for the C major scale?
As mentioned above the notes in the C major scale are:
C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C
The formula for the C major scale is:
Whole Step (W)
Whole Step (W)
Half Step (H)
Whole Step (W)
Whole Step (W)
Whole Step (W)
Half Step (H)
In terms of frets, the pattern is:
2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1
This specific sequence of whole steps (W) and half steps (H) will create any major scale. Whatever note you start on plug in the formula and you’ve got a major scale. It’s like magic!
This pattern guarantees that the C major scale maintains a specific set of intervals between each note.
On the guitar, you can play the C major scale in a ton of different ways.
????Read the full blog here: https://www.jonmaclennan.com/blog/c-major-scale-guitar-lesson
????Discover the 5 MUST-KNOW chords and scales to play in ANY style anywhere on the neck FREE PDF GUIDE → https://www.jonmaclennan.com/fretboardguide
#Major #Scale #Guitar #Beginner #lesson
Originally posted by UCsXHogO0SL0jN9pvsibbj2A at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC3-tE37zEM
????Discover the 5 MUST-KNOW chords and scales to play in ANY style anywhere on the neck FREE PDF GUIDE → https://www.jonmaclennan.com/fretboardguide
thanks
On a keyboard/piano the diatonic chords will keep raising up the keyboard C, Em, Dm, F, G, Am, Bdim, C. Where are these chords on the guitar c major scale in this video?
Very well explained Sir,thanks a lot
Great lesson
Thanks so much
The whole step, half step….
Is it Tone tone, Semitone, tone tone tone Semitone….
Great lesson Jon. One thing that would be helpful is to keep the tabs up all the time while you play along
Wow, the 123 1/2 1234 1/2 was a cool add to a great lesson thanks.
You’re so concise and helpful. Thank you!
Apologies John, I have the downloaded PDF but do not see the Major scale you are discussing on that page? Can you provide guidance.
Maybe point us in the direction of the best graphic that would help see the major scale in all of the fretboard positions for a particular key?
BTW: I think it would be important to point out that your calm style is quite a nice way to get assistance (especially for us older folks) on the instrument thx
Thank you so much. Best scale explanation I have seen! Helps with voice scales.
Bro you should grow your Tom petty hair
????Discover the 5 MUST-KNOW chords and scales to play in ANY style anywhere on the neck FREE PDF GUIDE→ https://www.jonmaclennan.com/fretboardguide