About scales… (lesson 7)

Dominik Gräber · Apr 21, 2018

I am taking theory more seriously now and going through every lesson again, spending some time with each. Now I am at lesson 7, the Major Scale and it left some question open for me. Papa Gates said the “structure” is 2x whole, half, 3x whole. Ok, I get that, but where am I supposed to start the scale? Does it matter? I think it is the C major scale so do I start on a C? Or can I choose and build the scale from wherever I want?
Also I did not quite get how you apply the scale to multiple strings without learning it by heart. That whole, whole… thing works for me on one string, but on multiple?
Sorry, a newbie has a lot of questions hah

Vasrely Derian · Apr 21, 2018

From how I see it, you start a scale with a root note, and that root note is the key.
So the root note to a C Major scale is C, to a F Maj scale is F, to an E Maj scale is E (so on & so on)
After the root note then comes the “Structure/Pattern” which is then W W H W W W.
For Example
(assuming r=root, w=whole, h=half)
r-W-W-H-W-W-W in C Maj Scale is
C-D-E-F-G-A-B and then repeats.
Hopefully this makes sense, I’m also just starting out on theory and I’m also trying to understand scales. (I’m not sure if I’m right though)

idssdi · Apr 21, 2018

Basically on my mind thee first note is the root note and usually the key your in. So starting on c in the C major scale would probably mean that you are in c major. If you start on a different note it’s probably a mode of the C major scale. However if C is your I chord and you start on E or G you are in the key of c major but starting on a color note. Basically what really makes a key is the chords that are in there but starting on a random note in the scale doesn’t really sound like a good idea to me. Also starting on a C could also mean that you are playing over Am (which would be aeolian) it all really depends on the chords you’really improvising over.
Hope this helps!

idssdi · Apr 21, 2018

Learning it by head or at least when someone tellsays you like play the C major scale being immediately able to play it without lot’s of thinking seems like a good idea to me. However If you’re very familiar with the intervals that are between each note in the scale you don’t necesarily have to learn it by heart but I’d still advice to learn it by heart (brain farts happen sometimes unfortunately)

Jen Hapke · Apr 21, 2018

You have to keep all the notes in mind, so basically the cromatic scale.
If you start with C you have a cromatic scale like:
C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B and then you start over again with C.
So your major scale is like the others said C D E F G A B and C again. The over notes are not part of the key of C.
If you want to build a E major scale you have to think of the cromatic scale moved up like this:
E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# and then you start with E again.
So your major scale is (think of the W W H W W W):
E F# G# A B C# D# and E again.
You start on the root note of your scale. If you want an E major scale you start on an E, if you want a C major scale you start on the C.
For your string “problem” you have to keep in mind the tuning of the strings. Your low E sting is of cause an E when played open. If you fret your E string on the 5th fret you get an A. That’s the same as the next, the A string. If you fret your A string on the 5th fret you get an D and thats the open string beneath. There is only the exeption of the b string.
So if you play an D on the 5th fret of your A string and you want to get an E on the D string you know it’s a whole step up from the open sting note. So you have to put your finger on the second fret of your D string to get an E.
I hope this helps. If you don’t get it you can also ask me in a pm in german. Maybe that would make it easier

Dominik Gräber · Apr 22, 2018

Thank you all for your help! I think I’m slowly getting it all
@Jen Thanks, you helped me a lot here!
So let me summarize that, W W H W W W is the general pattern of the major scale and the root note, or the note you start with defines which major scale you are playing? Or do I misunderstand something here? That way I can not yet figure out how to play in a color in a certain scale like @Ids said.

Ed Seith · Apr 22, 2018

If you’re building that way, then yes, from your root note, the construct of the major scale is W W H W W W H.
So if you were starting on D, just to be different than the C we’ve been discussing, it would be
D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, and back to D.
w w h w w w h.
What makes C special is that it’s the only major scale that’s all natural notes, no sharps or flats. The piano is designed around the C major scale.

Dominik Gräber · Apr 22, 2018

Ok, got that, thank you @Ed !

idssdi · Apr 22, 2018

The colornotes are just thirds or fifths or sevenths. If you play them over the chords it can sound a bit more interesting. But even though you’re plaYing color tones you’re still actually in the C major scale. I do think I kinda misunderstood your question. Yeah the scale you’re istill named after the root note.

Jen Hapke · Apr 22, 2018

Yeah you got it. The C major scale is the scale everyone knows. Like Ed said, the piano is designed around it. All the white piano keys are part of the C major scale.

Dominik Gräber · Apr 22, 2018

Thank you all helping me out, it is such a long way to go!

Jak Angelescu · Apr 22, 2018

I am so incredibly proud of you for starting from the very beginning and taking music theory very seriously! It seems like you have a long way to go, but think of it like this… Music theory is like learning a language. The more you make it a part of your daily life and the more you apply it, the easier it will become and everything will start to make sense. Once you get the basics and the foundation first, the more complicated stuff will be a hell of a lot easier for you. Keep it up! This will really help your guitar playing in the long run.

Dominik Gräber · Apr 22, 2018

Thanks @jak for the positive words, as always!
But I know me and it will be kinda hard not getting “off the way” and going back to learning some solo, leaving theory aside. Also I guess applying theory will feel at first a little more like “work” than fun so I will have to force me a little I think. But eventually I get there

idssdi · Apr 22, 2018

As soon as you come to the point that you can kinda think while playing it will become second nature really. And i’m sure you’ll get there!

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