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The Two Most Important Scales in Western Music

March 18, 2013 By Klaus Crow 26 Comments

Last Updated on May 15, 2019 by Klaus Crow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX7SEQmNaGQ
Today I’ll show you the two most important scales in western music. The “Major Scale” and the “Pentatonic Scale”. If they are not in your vocubalary yet, be eager to learn. If you know your scales you can learn how to solo, improvise and much more. We’ll start with…

The Major Scale.
The major scale is the mother of all scales, because all the other scales, modes, intervals, chords and harmony in western music can be derived from it. If you want to learn anything about music theory you need to know how to play the major scale.

And why would you want to learn music theory? Because you’ll be much faster in learning to understand everything about guitar playing. Yes you’ll become a better rock, blues, metal, country, jazz guitar player. If you know music theory you know the short cuts to playing and transcribing guitar solos, chord progressions and improvising. It makes the life of a guitar player a lot easier.

INTERVALS:
The major scale contains 7 notes starting with the root note and the scale is followed by the octave of the root note: 1(root) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8(=1)(=octave)
To form a scale on a single string we use the formula: W-W-H-W-W-W-H
W = Whole step.(2 frets) H = Half step.(1 fret)

For example: Let’s say we start on a G-note (Low E-string 3rd fret), now go up a whole step to an A(note), then up a whole step to B, up a half step to C, up a whole step to D, a whole step to E, a whole step to F# and finally up a half step to G. So the notes of the G major scale are:G A B C D E F# G
The major scale in the video lesson and the tabs below contain the same notes, only it’s a two octave major scale: G A B C D E F# G A B C D E F# G

The Pentatonic Scale.
The pentatonic scale is so important because it is widely used in Rock, Blues, Metal, Jazz, Fusion, Country and many other styles. Just about any pop, rock, blues guitar solo you hear on the radio is played using the pentatonic scale. And what is quite nice is that it’s not such a difficult scale to learn.

INTERVALS: The pentatonic scale only contains five notes starting with the root note and finishing with the octave of the root note. These are the notes compared to a major scale: 1 b3 4 5 b7 8(=1)(=octave) The interval formula is: 1 1/2, W, W, 1 1/2, W
Note: 1 1/2 = 3 half steps.(3 frets) W = Whole step.(2 frets)

For example: Let’s say we start on a A-note (Low E-string 5th fret), now go up a 1 1/2 step to an C(note), then up a whole step to a D, up a whole step to E, up 1 1/2 step to G and finally up a whole step to A. So the notes of the A pentatonic scale are: A C D E G A
The pentatonic scale in the video lesson and the tabs below is a two octave pentatonic scale:
A C D E G A C D E G A

Now let’s take a closer look at the tabs below.
For the major scale I’ve chosen the G major scale. Once you can play the G major scale you can play it in any key, just by moving up the scale a half step up each time.
If you move up the G major scale up a half step you are playing a G# major scale, move up a half step again and you’re playing an A major scale, move up a half step to A#, up a half step to B, up a half step to C and so on:

G – G# – A – A# – B – C – C# – D – D# – E – F – F# – G

Example see tabs below:
Note: Every scale starts and ends on the root note. Every red note indicates a root note.


G Major Scale
e----------------------------2-3-2---------------------------|
B------------------------3-5-------5-3-----------------------|
G------------------2-4-5---------------5-4-2-----------------|
D------------2-4-5---------------------------5-4-2-----------|
A------2-3-5---------------------------------------5-3-2-----|
E--3-5---------------------------------------------------5-3-|
Move up a half step and you have:
G# Major Scale
e----------------------------3-4-3---------------------------| B------------------------4-6-------6-4-----------------------| G------------------3-5-6---------------6-5-3-----------------| D------------3-5-6---------------------------6-5-3-----------| A------3-4-6---------------------------------------6-4-3-----| E--4-6---------------------------------------------------6-4-| Move up a half step and you have:
A Major Scale
e----------------------------4-5-4---------------------------| B------------------------5-7-------7-5-----------------------| G------------------4-6-7---------------7-6-4-----------------| D------------4-6-7---------------------------7-6-4-----------| A------4-5-7---------------------------------------7-5-4-----| E--5-7---------------------------------------------------7-5-| And so on...
 
The same thing goes for the pentatonic scale. In the video I play an A pentatonic scale. Move it up a half step and you're playing an A# pentatonic scale and so on....
 
A Minor Pentatonic Scale e---------------------5-8-5---------------------| B-----------------5-8-------8-5-----------------| G-------------5-7---------------7-5-------------| D---------5-7-----------------------7-5---------| A-----5-7-------------------------------7-5-----| E-5-8---------------------------------------8-5-| Move up a half step and you have:
A# Minor Pentatonic Scale
e---------------------6-9-5---------------------| B-----------------6-9-------9-6-----------------| G-------------6-8---------------8-6-------------| D---------6-8-----------------------8-6---------| A-----5-7-------------------------------7-5-----| E-6-9---------------------------------------9-6-|
 
The scales are also really good for practicing your alternate picking. Make sure you first practice slow and keep your notes clean and clear. After a while when you feel comfortable with the tempo gradually build up your speed. Don't forget your notes need to sound crystal clear at all times before you speed up. Have a great day!
 
Share your comments. I really appreciate it.

Related posts:

  1. Ruthless Minor Pentatonic Scales Over 3 Octaves
  2. How to Play The Major Scale Guitar Guide for Beginners and Intermediate
  3. Top 10 Most Important Scales for Guitar
  4. The Most Important Scales to Learn on Guitar

Comments

  1. Sean says

    March 21, 2013 at 6:29 am

    Great article as always!

  2. Bobby Kittleberger says

    March 22, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    Absolutely agree with the post title. Major and Pentatonic scales rule the roost when it comes to modern music.

  3. Klaus Crow says

    March 24, 2013 at 9:09 am

    Hi Bobby,

    The amazing this is, you can spend your whole life dedicating to improvise around these scales and you won’t ever get bored.

    Best regards,
    Klaus Crow

  4. Hemanta says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    First of all this site is amazing , this site describes everything in simple language .

    I will practice both scales , but im little confused how to use them in songs when it comes to apply those scales .
    Im beginner in scales , can u tell me some songs which used minor pentatonic scales thnx

  5. Chris L says

    April 7, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Klaus,

    I know you must get this all the time, but you’re amazing! I’m an American student studying in Germany and by coincidence stumbled upon this site a few weeks ago. Luckily I brought my guitar with me and have really benefited from all your lessons. I’ve been playing for 9 years on and off and even after all the time you’ve taught me new ways to approach the guitar!

    Keep doing what you’re doing man, good vibes coming from me to you!

  6. Klaus Crow says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks I really appreciate it!

    Best regards,
    Klaus Crow

  7. Mick says

    April 15, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    Hello Klaus,

    Just stumbled across your blog and immediately subscribed. Really you’re doing remarkable work. I have been a professor for 20 years so I know a natural teacher when I see one and you are the real deal.

    I love music in many forms and have always regretted that I could never play an instrument. It’s my 50th birthday and I’ve decided to learn the guitar. I am inspired by blues and folk guitarists like Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, John Fahey and Nick Drake. Is it crazy to start at 50?

    Have you ever done a post on a general learning path for beginners to follow?

    Thanks for the lessons and for the inspiration. This blog is a small good thing in the world.

  8. Alain says

    April 17, 2013 at 4:07 am

    Hi Mick, it’s never too late to learn anything…. All you need is an interest…. I started a few months ago am I’m 40… I’m happy I stumbled on this site as well.

    Klaus, you’re doing some great teaching here ! I love it cuz you simplify !

    Thanks !!!

  9. Klaus Crow says

    April 18, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    Hi Mick,

    I haven’t wrote a post about a beginners learning path, but it sure is something I should and will write about in the near future.

    Maybe this post will summarize what could be part of your overall guitar workout:
    https://www.guitarhabits.com/the-ultimate-motivational-guitar-practice-workout/

    Thanks for a great tip.

    Best regards,
    Klaus Crow

  10. Azur says

    April 24, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Hi Klaus! I really like your blog, it’s very inspirational.

    Awesome website!

    Thank you for your great job!

  11. Tony says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:44 pm

    KLAUS! I just found your site. I am a decently experienced 23 year old player, but I have been craving a lot more in my repertoire. I am so glad I found your site: I have just bookmarked it on my browser. Thank you so much for your incredible insight. I can’t wait to practice some of the things I’ve been reading on here so far.
    Cheers,
    Tony

  12. Prasana says

    October 29, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    hi klaus sir,
    thank you for sharing all these tips it is very helpful

  13. Brandon says

    December 31, 2014 at 8:31 am

    Great article! I’ve been reading about shapes and scales and c.a.g.e.d and nothing was as clear and understandable as this was. Thank you so much for this. A real good lesson.

  14. Paul micheal says

    February 20, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! Its amazing, i really like this. How will i play when there is no one to show me where to start?

  15. Holy Tshunge Maduha Ncube says

    May 14, 2016 at 8:01 am

    THANK YOU MY DEAR BROTHER KLAUS…i HAVE LEARNT A LOT OVER THE MONTHS FROM YOU WEBSITE.. I USED TO HAVE DESPAIR OVER MUSIC THEORY..NOW THINGS ARE COMING TOGETHER AND ITS GETTING ENJOYABLE..NOW I LOVE MU GUITARS… THANK YOU SO MUCH AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY….

  16. Rajib Das says

    July 6, 2016 at 6:32 am

    To: Mr. Klaus Crow
    From : Rajib Das, Mumbai, India.
    Recently.. I have started practicing Guitar.. But the thing is.. http://www.guitarhabits.com lessons are so clear and well explained that.. Any Guitar player can understand whatever theory you explain.. one can understand at a glance.. God Bless U..Sir.. May God Bless You with a Long and Healthy and Happy Life..
    From : Rajib Das, Mumbai, India.

  17. Michael says

    December 9, 2017 at 8:23 am

    Your presentation of the pentatonic scale is flat out wrong. Please take it down.

  18. Ronald says

    February 4, 2018 at 6:40 pm

    The second minor pentatonic scale shown, the A string is incorrect. It should be 6 -8 and going up it should be 8 – 6, just a small error but want to make sure it is known.

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