The major scale
The major scale is composed of 7 notes with a repeat of the first note at its octave. The major scale is
constructed by a formula of distances between the notes. The formula is WT-WT-ST-WT-WT-WT-ST.
A whole tone =2 semi tones or 2 frets on the guitar. A semi tone =1 fret on the guitar. The distance
between any note and its octave(the repeat of the same note at the next pitch), is measured as a
chromatic scale. Ex. A to A. A (A#,Bb) B C (C#,Db) D (D#,Eb) E F (F#,Gb) G (G#,Ab) A
The scale has 12 semi tones 1
2
3 4
5
6
7
8 9
10 11 12 “octave”
The formula “wt wt st wt wt wt st”for the “major scale”construction when applied to the chromatic
scale view starting on the A note gives us the Ama scale “A B C# D E F# G# A “. If we apply the same
formula starting on the G note, we get “G A B C D E F# G”, the G ma scale. Each time the formula is
applied, a different grouping of notes will appear. We will see some scales with more or less sharps(#)
and some with more or less flats(b).
When we harmonize the notes of the major scale in a connection of third intervals,chords are produced.
The result of this 3’rd interval harmony produces the triad chord structure with each note of the scale
representing a chord form. Using G ma as an example the scale chord connection looks like this:
Gma. Ami. Bmi. Cma. Dma. Emi. F#diminished Gma.
1ma 2m 3m 4ma 5ma 6mi 7dim 8ma(the octave)
The #(sharp) keys are
The b (flat) keys are
1 2- 3- 4 5 6- 7dim 8
1 2- 3- 4 5 6- 7 8
C D E F G A B
C
F G A Bb C D E F (1b)
G A
B C D E F# G (1#)
Bb C D Eb F G A Bb (2b)
D E F# G A B C# D (2#)
Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb (3b)
A B C# D E F# G# A (3#)
Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab (4b)
E F# G# A B C# D# E (4#)
Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db (5b)
B C# D# E F# G# A# B (5#)
Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb (6b)
‘’1, , 4, and 5’’ are called the foundational note grouping and give the three most
powerfully connected chord grouping of the major scale. 1,4,and 5 are played as major chords.
‘’2-, 3-, and 6-’’give us minor chords, each one being a ‘’relative minor ‘’to a corresponding major
chord of the same key. The relative ma\mi connection is 1ma and 6-, 4ma and 2- 5ma and 3-. The
7’th note of the ma scale formulates to become a diminished chord form.
*a sharp (#) raises the pitch of a note up by 1 semi tone.
*a flat (b) lowers the pitch down by 1 semi tone.
*The chromatic scale consists of 12 chromatic semi tones