What is the most useful scale to start with?

[j-bass-kreep]

THe first scale I learned was the minor pentatonic , it is easy and has a small margin of error . But It wouldn't hurt to learn the natural major . I'm currently struggling with the harmonic scale ..

[wtg203]

Originally Posted by Geoff Rusch

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't all scales derived from the major scale?

+1000000

If you're going to learn any scale EVER, make it the major scale!
Practically every facet of music theory derives from the major scale. You'll have no idea how to play other scales, who's step names are "Root, flat third, flat fifth, etc", because "third" and "fifth" are referring to the third and fifth steps of the major scale.

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by wtg203

+1000000

If you're going to learn any scale EVER, make it the major scale!
Practically every facet of music theory derives from the major scale. You'll have no idea how to play other scales, who's step names are "Root, flat third, flat fifth, etc", because "third" and "fifth" are referring to the third and fifth steps of the major scale.

It's common to reference other scales to the major scale. It's an easy way to describe them. But that does NOT mean that they are derived from the major scale.