| A major scale is a sound, not a finger pattern. A whole step is the SOUND of two notes two frets apart. A half-step us the sound of notes one fret apart. A diatonic major scale is built by the pattern of W W H W W W H. By definition the key of C has no sharps or flats. When you build the scale you use each letter (A - G) once and only once.
So, putting these things together, a C major scale has to be C D E F G A B C. It the follows that the distance between each natural note is a whole step except for E to F, and B to C. Don't even try to go further if this isn't clear to you.
So, how to make a G scale? Use each note once and you get G A B C D E F G. Is this a G major? Let's check... Remember W W H W W W H
G to A is a whole step, that's OK
A to B is a whole step, so that one is good too.
We need a half step next, and B to C is a half step so we're good.
C to D is a whole step and that's OK.
D to E is right also.
Now we need a whole step. Except E to F is only a half step, so we need the note between F and G. We call it F# because we've already used G and haven't used F yet.
F# to G is a half step and we're done
Now because the major scale is exactly the same distance between the notes, only the starting point varies, that means the fingerings patterns can be the same, only the starting point changes.
John
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JTE
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Lakland Owners' Club # 248
Last edited by JTE : 11-25-2011 at 09:12 AM.
Reason: Typos- I shouldn't type long posts on the phone...
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