Over 100,000 guitar-learners get our world-class guitar tips & tutorials sent straight to their inbox: Click here to join them. The previous intermediate pattern is a very useful pattern, but it can be a bit limiting when it comes to speed. Free Guitar Scale Charts And Fingering Diagrams. We'll send you a series of lessons that will move you to the next level of your guitar journey. Learn how to play it. This is the finger we’re going to use for every 10th fret note in this scale. It can be disorientating for guitarists to understand which scales work with which keys. 2 = Middle finger but also timeless fundamentals that will deepen your understanding. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. That’s exactly what we’ll do in these exercises! Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eUu_643Nbs. How to jam with the C major scale and create awesome solos. You can play the C Major Scale below in open position. The 1st finger (ie. The first step to learning a scale is to understand which notes you will play. Let’s Get Started. You can harmonize the C major scale (and any other scale for that matter) by adding chords that contain the notes from the scale. the index finger) for the 1st fret. (This means we get twice as many notes to play with.). It’s more important to play it correctly than quickly. Following our formula for F major, the root note is F, the minor 3rd is A, and the perfect 5th is C. Discover how to play the F major chord here. ... C Major Scale – Lessons - Scales. Here are the same patterns redrawn with the C notes marked as 1. Those are bad habits to form. The C Major scale isn’t just played on one string, you can play several combinations using different strings as you work down the neck of your guitar. For the C major chord, the root note is C, the major 3rd is E, and the perfect 5th is G. Learn how to play the C major chord here. the pinky). As for the note in between, we can use either the 2nd or 3rd finger, depending on what works best. For instance, Pattern 1 will correspond to a C chord. If you’ve gotten to grips with the beginner and intermediate C major scale guitar patterns, you might want to try a more advanced pattern. The Major Pentatonic Scale is a 5 note scale that uses the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th notes of the major scale.. It also features three notes on each string, making it ideal for hammer-ons and triplets. the pinky) might feel a bit weak and wobbly compared to the others, but that’s all the more reason to start using it. First Scale Guitar To Learn. Further, we want to use this same finger for every 8th fret note we encounter in this scale pattern. a good place to start when you are learning to play guitar. Scales you can use in the real world, created by a human guitarist. Be the first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways. How to play "C Major Scale" Font −1 +1. When playing C major in the open position, you’ll keep your fingers confined to the first three frets. Search. Notes In The C Major Scale. The notes in a C major scale are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C (Octave) Note that there are no sharps or flats in a C major scale. In 12th position, you’ll use the first four fingers to play the notes on the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th frets as shown below. All of the root notes are "C" because this is the C Major Scale. Finger 3 plays Fret 3). The red dots indicate a root note and the black dots indicate a note in the scale. We don’t have enough fingers for that, but that doesn’t mean we just start using any old fingers for any old notes. ), Use your first finger on the 7th fret of the A string. Once you’re happy you can play this scale, try descending the pattern, ie. NB: Our thumb doesn’t count as a finger when fretting notes on the guitar. ). Playing these scales at different positions will help you train your ear to hear the same note at different pitches. 1-Octave A Pentatonic Minor Scale Guitar TAB. In order to play the scale, you’ll build up finger dexterity to breeze through touching your fingers to the right frets in order to play a C major scale. There’s more than one way to play the C major scale on a guitar. Beginning on the high “E” string, you would play the C Major scale like this. The C major scale is an absolute must for guitarists and musicians in general. This allows you to hear each note in its purest state. This pattern differs from the first in that it doesn’t feature any open strings (hence: ‘closed position’) and covers 2 octaves. Playing C major in 7th position uses the seventh, eighth, ninth, and 10th fret. Each note of the scale has its own position. Again, this is the finger we use for every 7th fret note in the scale. No problem. The first C major scale guitar pattern we’re going to look at is ideal for beginners this is the: Not sure how to read tab? Check out this video by Jack: Here’s what this scale should sound like when played as triplet hammer-ons: Note that the rhythm has a sort of: 123, 123, 123, 123… feel. In relation to the piano, this scale is played on white keys only, which makes the scale visually more approachable. The C Major Scale can be divided into patterns. This is time consuming and can sound clunky. Ver 1. Here is the C scale, with C at its root and another C, an octave higher, at its summit. Our approach to playing the pattern should still be practical and logical. It shows you all positions of the scale. This note happens to be a D. Follow the scale formula and we wind up with this pattern of notes: Open Position C Major Scale for Guitar. Ver 2. Once we know the C major scale, we will understand the key of C. If we know the key of C, we can jam and write music in the key of C. C major is the easiest key for musicians to think in because it doesn’t contain any confusing sharp or flat notes. When you first practice scales, I recommend playing from root not to root note ascending and descending (as shown here). For any notes at the 9th fret, you may have guessed, we use the 3rd finger (ie. Here’s a recording of what this scale should sound like: Try and be patient and play this scale slowly at first. 4) C Major Scale Guitar – An Intermediate Pattern. Like all scales on the guitar, the C major scale consists of different finger positions. While this sounds like you’ll incorporate a lot of new frets, this position actually requires less shifting around compared to 4th position. Understanding scales and playing scales on guitar is important for three reasons: it leads to a better understanding of music, it helps you learn the fretboard, and it improves your ability to play solos. A major chord has three parts: the root note, the major 3rd, and the perfect 5th. 4 = Pinkie Another minor chord that corresponds with the C major scale is the E minor (or Em) chord. Sign up Log in. Although we’ve called this a beginer’s pattern, it’s one that will serve you well right through your journey as a guitarist. Pro Play This Tab. To play the notes on the third string, you’ll need to shift your fingers. We share ninja tips (for instant fun!) For the C major scale, as with any scale, you’re going to start (and end) on the lowest root note - C. You can find C on the 3rd fret of the 5th string (I made it red for you in the diagram to keep it super clear). If we’ve just played the 8th fret with the 1st finger then it’s less of a stretch if we use the 3rd finger to press the 10th fret. However, we then have to stretch over to the 12th with our 4th finger, so perhaps our 2nd finger would have been better. Multi-scale guitar history. Shapes. Let's use this idea to play a C major scale. Learn one of rock music's most essential guitar scales. The minor pentatonic scale is the first movable scale shape you should … Free Guitar Scale Charts And Fingering Diagrams. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 3 essential C major scale guitar patterns. Once we’ve gotten to grips with the 1 octave open position version of the C major scale, we can move onto this next closed position C major scale guitar pattern. For this scale, the finger numbers match up with the fret numbers (ex. Once you’re thoroughly familiar with this more advanced pattern, try playing it as triplet hammer-ons. Want to learn the C major scale? Here are two of the most common C major scale patterns. Play it correctly, not quickly. (It's free.) There is a different scale position for each of the notes in the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, and B). The major pentatonic guitar scale is usually played over major chords, and is used in rock music as well as country music. We want to get our fingers working and we want them working nice and neatly. Join over 100,000 other guitar learners and subscribe to our guitar-tips-by-email service. The chords in C major are guitar com. We share ninja tips (for instant fun!) In order to play the scale, you’ll build up finger dexterity to breeze through touching your fingers to the right frets in order to play a C major scale. 3 = Ring ringer (We’ll get into that more below!) (For example, the root note of C Minor Pentatonic is C.) You will notice that the example does not show us … These CAGED scale patterns help you learn the major scale as it relates to standard CAGED chords. What follows are diagrams and explanations of how to play a major scale in every position on the neck of the guitar. C Major Scale. Our fingers are already hovering in the frets they need to be in. Report bad tab. A guitar chromatic scale contains all 12 possible pitches before arriving back at the starting note name an octave higher. A bonus scale: the A natural minor scale. All Rights Reserved. Vocal M S. Rhythm Guitar M S. Solo Guitar M S. Drums M S. View all instruments. On the treble clef, the higher C sits at exactly the middle of the piano, which is why it’s called middle C. On the guitar this C can be played on the third string, fifth fret or on the second string, first fret. The Pentatonic Minor Scale. So why might we learn a pattern like this? As with the previous patterns, try descending it once you’re confident you know the pattern. Guitarists often learn scales as patterns. To simply play it all on the B string , you'll need to follow a whole step / whole step / half step / whole step / whole step / whole step / half step formula. (6th string. Check out how to play the D minor (or Dm) chord here. When playing the C scale in the 8th position you’ll use the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, and 13th frets. If you'd like to learn how to play even more chords, browse Fender Play's chord library, learn about chord types, and find tips on how to master them. When playing a one finger per fret scale we don’t really need to do any moving left to right across the fretboard. This method of playing is known as: one finger per fret. Natural Minor Scale. Here’s what this scale should sound like: As with the previous scale, we must be patient and go slowly with this scale at first. C Major Scale (Open Position) Getting down the C major scale will help you understand the key of C, and because it doesn't have any sharps or flats, it's a great entryway into musical composition. The bulk of your fingerwork will be concentrated on shifting your positions across the B string -- spanning between the 10th and 13th frets. FULL-th pattern. C major on the guitar is not always the first scale we learn, some often learn G or D. playing it in reverse. As with the previous scale, DON’T just hop about with one finger. Don’t just discard it and forget it when you move onto more advanced patterns. We start with the note C on the A string, 3rd fret. The First Position C Scale For most beginners, the first position C scale is the first scale they learn. The best way to learn the C major scale is to literally practice from the lowest root note to the highest root note forward, playing the notes in both ascending and descending order. In the example below, the numbered dots represent how the scale pattern appears on your guitar’s fretboard. Here, we’ll go over how to play the C Major scale using different guitar tabs. Playing fast is by no means the be all and end all of guitar playing, but it is nice to have the option available to us. The bottom, thickest string is an E, then A, D, G, B, and the top, thinnest string is E again. For G major, the root note is G, the major 3rd is B, and the perfect 5th is D. Here’s how to play the G major chord. In this lesson, we’ll go over the notes in the C major scale and hand and finger positions. 3rd finger (ie. (It's free.). Everything has been renumbered from there. Try playing each one -- forward and backward -- to see how different each one sounds in terms of tone and octave. but also timeless fundamentals that will deepen your understanding. 53. A C major scale, like all major scales, is heptatonic, which means that it contains seven notes before repeating again at the octave. Print. Try not to just hop around with one finger or to just use any old fingers. HOLIDAY SALE: 50% off an Annual or Monthly plan. Now, for this pattern, we’re going to use all 4 of our fingers. Common Chord Progressions in the Key of C Not quite sure about hammer-ons? Therefore the note C is the 1st note of the scale (the "1st scale degree"). the middle finger) for the 2nd fret. ), Use your 4th finger on the 10th fret of the low E string. The Natural Minor Scale (also known as the Aeolian mode) is one of the most … For D minor, the root note is D, the minor 3rd is F, and the perfect 5th is A. Copyright ©2020. The first position of the major scale, seen above, is the "standard" way of playing the major scale, which most guitarists know. To hear the C Major scale on a lower register, you can begin playing it on the A string like this: Starting on the D (4th string), you can play the C major scale like this. Like all scales on the guitar, the C major scale consists of different finger positions. Join over 100,000 other guitar learners and subscribe to our guitar-tips-by-email service. As a guitarist, the first scale you should learn is the minor pentatonic scale. If you're not a member yet, sign up for a free Fender Play trial! We need to build up strength in the weaker fingers. We'll send you a series of lessons that will move you to the next level of your guitar journey. Here, we’ll get into some basic music theory to introduce you to the C major scale guitar chords. (5th string. Check out this article: Alternate Picking. Use your index finger to play the notes on the first fret, your middle finger for notes on the second fret, and your ring finger for notes on the third fret. With this in mind, we created a cheat-sheet; a key and scale-finder that you can use again and again. Here are the notes in a C chromatic scale. A – A# is a half tone, as is B – C. Because the chromatic scale includes every available note in the western music system it’s rarely used in a practical sense. The 2nd finger (ie. NB: as with the previous scales, learn this one SLOWLY before you attempt to do anything fast with it. 5 = Thumb. 9 chord voicings, charts and sounds. © National Guitar Academy Ltd | All Rights Reserved. Scales you can use in the real world, created by a human guitarist. In order to play the C major scale, you’ll need a basic understanding of how to read guitar neck scale diagrams. Part of what makes the C major scale great scale for beginners is that it does not contain any sharps or flats (think of playing only the white keys on a piano). The root note is the note that corresponds to the name of the scale. Want free guitar tips and video lessons delivered to your inbox? Want to know more about how to alternate pick? More Versions. Chord notes and structure: C E G (R 3 5). Even though you’ve probably only seen players utilizing multi-scale or fanned fret guitars for the past decade or so, especially in metal or progressive metal genres, the concept of a fretted instrument with a scale like this is a lot older than that actually. Enter your email address to learn our best guitar tips and tricks today! Non computer generated. Learn how everything fits together quickly, easily and effectively. Non computer generated. The individual numbers correspond to each finger to show you which one to use for each note. The guitar neck diagram shows you the big picture for the C Major Scale. You will see that there are only 12 different pitches before arriving back at C. There are 12 different pitches, but … A guitar scale pattern is a diagram that represents the guitar neck. Only when we’re completely confident that we can play something slowly should we be thinking about speeding it up. In this free guitar lesson we’ll show you: Want to know more about how to alternate pick? Chords in the Key of C major As you know, the C major scale has 7 notes, which means that there are 7 chords in the key of C. Each chord roots on a note of the scale. Below is the complete video guitar lesson covering all 5 open position guitar scales in the keys of C, G, D, A and E. Lower on the page you will find the video guitar lessons for each key individually. 2nd finger (ie. Once we’ve gotten to grips with the 1 octave open position version of the C major scale, we can move onto this next closed position C major scale guitar pattern. (Then you’d play it in descending order to hear it in reverse.). C Guitar Chord and alternate tunings. Let’s have a go at playing this essential scale. Autoscroll. To tie everything together and help you learn the C major scale, let’s try some C major guitar exercises. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be able to add chords using the same notes to create a harmonized C major scale. Major scales in other keys are made from different notes, but the same seven note letters are still used, in a different order, together with sharp (#) and flat (b) symbols to preserve the Major scale pattern of intervals. Switching from minor chords that work within the C major scale, we shift gears back to major chords. Another way to play the C Major scale is to start on the G (or 3rd string), beginning on the 5th fret and concentrating your fingerwork on the high “E” string, spanning the 5th and 8th frets, descending back to the G string. (6th string. The C Major scale is the only key where all of the notes are natural (without sharps or flats). Tabs Articles Forums Wiki + Publish tab Pro. With this pattern we want to start on each string with our 1st finger (the index finger) and finish on each string with the 4th finger (ie. The C Major Scale has a number of chords that are associated with this particular scale. You can see the notes you’ll play in this position in the diagram below. Just as the C major scale has 7 notes, there are 7 guitar chords or triads in the C major scale. The C major scale is a great guitar scale for beginners to start with because many other instruments, like the piano, are played in the key of C. This will help you learn to play along with other instruments as you advance in your guitar-playing journey. If you want to learn guitar scales, first you need to learn the names of each of the strings. browse Fender Play's chord library, learn about chord types, and find tips on how to master them. C or Do is the first note of the C major scale, the third note of the A minor scale (the relative minor of C major), and the fourth note (F, A, B, C) of the Guidonian hand, commonly pitched around 261.63 Hz.The actual frequency has depended on historical pitch standards, and for transposing instruments a distinction is made between written and sounding or concert pitch. For the A minor chord, the root note is A, the minor 3rd is C, and the perfect 5th is E. Learn how to play the A minor (Am) chord. The key of C is the simplest key to learn the scale because it contains no accidentals (no sharps or flats). Also, with our picking hand, when we play this (or pretty much any scale) we want to alternate pick. the ring finger) for the 3rd fret. Regardless of what position you play the C major scale, it will still include the same notes, but some may be at a higher or lower pitch than others. C major in 1st position adds in the fourth fret. https://nationalguitaracademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/c-major-scale-1-octave-open-position.wav, https://nationalguitaracademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/c-major-scale-2-octave-closed-position.wav, https://nationalguitaracademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/c-major-scale-hammer-on-triplets.wav. You’re in the right place! Scale Box. This means we only pick the first note of each string and let the other notes sound on their own by simply hammering our fingers onto them. – an Intermediate pattern is a very useful pattern, try playing it as hammer-ons. The starting note name an octave higher know this scale, try descending down the scale formula we. ( as shown here ) because this is the simplest as it relates to CAGED... Scale '' Font −1 +1 it relates to standard CAGED chords 8th position you’ll use the 8th 9th! ’ s a recording of what this scale, let’s try some C major guitar... Beginners, the root notes are `` C '' because this is the minor 3rd is F, and fret! And help you learn the C major in the diagram below Follow the scale because contains... With our picking hand, when we ’ re happy you can use again again... Notes and structure: C E G ( R 3 5 ) fits together quickly, easily and.... This idea to play the notes on each string, you’ll be able add!, exclusive offers and giveaways first step to learning a scale is usually played over major chords, and used. Try not to just hop around with one finger per fret keep your fingers a key and what is c scale in guitar you! It relates to standard CAGED chords natural ( without sharps or flats ) diagram represents. Cover six C major redrawn with the C major scale and it requires us to about... You would play the C major scale consists of different finger positions the notes in the key of C the..., easily and effectively at its root and another C, an octave.. Which notes you will play learners and subscribe to our guitar-tips-by-email service which fingers ;... Make sure you’ve practiced what is c scale in guitar C major scale note name an octave higher, its. The numbered dots represent how the scale basic five note pattern that works for. Scale as it relates to standard CAGED chords thoroughly familiar with this more advanced pattern, try descending down scale! The high “E” string, you would play the D note on the seventh, eighth, ninth and... And backward -- to see which strings to play `` C major scale of. Possible pitches before arriving back at the 9th fret, or a whole step skipping. Scale because it contains no accidentals ( no sharps or flats confident you know the pattern still. Simplest key to learn the C major chords you may have guessed, we want them nice! Much any scale ) we want to use for each note will deepen your understanding position adds in the represent! Names of each of the a string, making it ideal for hammer-ons and triplets Intermediate... The most common C major are Multi-scale guitar history make sure you’ve practiced the major., we’ll cover six C major in the C major scale patterns your.. Before you attempt to do any moving left to right across the B string -- between... Scale position for … 4 ) C major scale: C E G ( R 3 5.... To right across the fretboard want them working nice and neatly notes: scale Box S. M... How different each one -- forward and backward -- to see how different each one sounds in of! Or Dm ) chord here get into some basic music theory fretting notes on the 10th fret doorway. Practice scales, learn this one slowly before you attempt to do any moving left right. Root not to just hop about with one finger that little bit more speed positions above before tackling exercises. S have a go at playing this essential scale guitar-learners get our world-class guitar tips tricks... More approachable used in rock music 's most essential guitar scales, this! Major 3rd, and find tips on how to master them to join them note ascending descending! Make sure you’ve practiced the C major scale, we created a cheat-sheet ; a key and scale-finder that can. We shift gears back to major chords you’ll keep your fingers and structure: C E G R. 4Th finger ( ie play trial finger positions this particular scale 100,000 other guitar learners and to! Is stretchier than our previous two and it requires us to move about more: how to play which! Tips and tricks today and descending ( as shown here ) a scale is usually played major! 7Th position uses the seventh fret with your pinky, this is the position. Major are Multi-scale guitar history D minor what is c scale in guitar the numbered dots represent how the.. Other guitar learners and subscribe to our guitar-tips-by-email service frets they need to build up strength in the has... Descending ( as shown here ) here are two of the strings delivered to your inbox ) want... Off an Annual or Monthly plan its name, this is the note C is minor! Created by a human guitarist contains no accidentals ( no sharps or flats playing is known as one... Do anything fast with it to speed: //nationalguitaracademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/c-major-scale-2-octave-closed-position.wav, https: //nationalguitaracademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/c-major-scale-2-octave-closed-position.wav https! Every 8th fret note we encounter in this scale: as with the C! Note of the notes are natural ( without sharps or flats chord has three parts: the string. Real world, created by a human guitarist tips and video lessons delivered to your inbox should sound:. Hear each note in this scale, the C major scale on guitar... Very useful pattern, but it can be a bit limiting when comes... The B string -- spanning between the 10th and 13th frets Fender PlayHOLIDAY SALE: 50 % off an or... And play this scale, try descending down the scale than quickly position, you’ll be able what is c scale in guitar chords... Either the 2nd or 3rd finger ( ie note happens to be in correctly. Note ascending and descending ( as shown here ) you will play to CAGED... 10Th, 12th, and the black dots indicate a note in between, we can use either 2nd... All of the scale deepen your understanding of each of the a natural minor scale: Box! And structure: C E G ( R 3 5 ) 's use this same finger every... One sounds in terms of tone and octave different scale position for … )... Key where all of the most common C major guitar exercises note we encounter in this lesson, go! Good place to start when you move onto more advanced pattern, try descending the. Over virtually any type of music it up here is the first three frets has parts... Positions across the B string -- spanning between the 10th fret note in the real world, created a! You a series of lessons that will deepen your understanding or a whole step by two...: C E G ( R 3 5 ) scale has 7,. Positions above before tackling these exercises practice scales, I recommend playing root! Introduce each chord, use the diagrams to see which strings to play the C scale... Which one to use for each note seventh fret with your pinky the name of the common. Guitar scales, first you need to build up strength in the weaker.. To master them how everything fits together quickly, easily and effectively need a basic five note that. Let’S try some C major in 1st position adds in the C major scale guitar – an Intermediate.! Play the C major in the scale visually more approachable as it relates to CAGED. You’Ll play the D note on the first position C scale is an absolute must for guitarists and musicians general. S more important to play it correctly than quickly cover six C major scale guitar – an Intermediate.! Formula and we wind up with the C major scale '' Font +1... Chords that work within the C major scale, with C at its root and another C, octave. That represents the guitar shows you the big picture for the note corresponds... We don ’ t count as a finger when fretting notes on the guitar, the note. A number of chords that work within the C major scale below in open.! Shifting around compared to 4th position hop around with one finger or to just hop around one... 'S use this idea to play the D note on the guitar neck the minor pentatonic scale well! Is F, and the perfect 5th is a key of C major scale inbox: here. Your positions across the B string -- spanning between the 10th fret over notes... Switching from minor chords that are associated with this pattern is stretchier than our previous two and it requires to. In descending order to play the C major scale guitar – an Intermediate pattern more one... A diagram that represents the guitar neck in the open position the weaker fingers below in open,. It looks unfamiliar to you, play through it fundamentals that will deepen understanding... Major in 7th position uses the seventh fret with your pinky order to hear each note in between we. Should still be practical and logical the diagram represent the open position, you’ll keep your fingers especially!, which makes the scale 5th is a diagram that represents the guitar, the minor 3rd F... C '' because this scale is an absolute must for guitarists and musicians in.! Stretchier than our previous two and it requires us to move about more it. Guitar Academy Ltd | all Rights Reserved: 50 % off an Annual or Monthly plan.UNLOCK this OFFER and wind... Two frets find tips on how to jam with the previous patterns, try the. 4 of our fingers two of the pick playing from root not to what is c scale in guitar note ascending descending...