Major scale on guitar
Bright, happy, the default for most pop and folk. Formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. In A, the major scale is A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#.
Formula and step pattern
Steps between neighbouring notes, closing on the octave: W W H W W W H (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones).
| Degree | Semitones from root | In A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | A |
| 2 | 2 | B |
| 3 | 4 | C# |
| 4 | 5 | D |
| 5 | 7 | E |
| 6 | 9 | F# |
| 7 | 11 | G# |
Major scale notes in all 12 keys
The root fret columns show where each key starts on the 6th (low E) and 5th (A) strings in standard tuning.
| Key | Notes | Root on 6th string | Root on 5th string |
|---|---|---|---|
| C major | C D E F G A B | 8 | 3 |
| Db major | Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C | 9 | 4 |
| D major | D E F# G A B C# | 10 | 5 |
| Eb major | Eb F G Ab Bb C D | 11 | 6 |
| E major | E F# G# A B C# D# | Open (and 12) | 7 |
| F major | F G A Bb C D E | 1 | 8 |
| F# major | F# G# A# B C# D# E# | 2 | 9 |
| G major | G A B C D E F# | 3 | 10 |
| Ab major | Ab Bb C Db Eb F G | 4 | 11 |
| A major | A B C# D E F# G# | 5 | Open (and 12) |
| Bb major | Bb C D Eb F G A | 6 | 1 |
| B major | B C# D# E F# G# A# | 7 | 2 |
Fretboard positions: A major
Root in solid cyan, scale tones outlined, from the open strings to fret 15. Slide the pattern along the neck to change key, using the root frets in the table above.
Pick another root in the scale trainer to light up the major scale in any key.
Chords that fit A major
Chords from the chord library built only from notes of A major (A B C# D E F# G#).
Related scales
- Natural minor scale: Same notes, different home note: A major uses the notes of F# natural minor.
- Major pentatonic scale: Major pentatonic sits inside major, which adds 4 and 7.
- Dorian scale: Same notes, different home note: A major uses the notes of B Dorian.
- Phrygian scale: Same notes, different home note: A major uses the notes of C# Phrygian.
- Lydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A major uses the notes of D Lydian. One note apart: Lydian has #4 where major has 4.
- Mixolydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A major uses the notes of E Mixolydian. One note apart: Mixolydian has b7 where major has 7.
- Locrian scale: Same notes, different home note: A major uses the notes of G# Locrian.
- Melodic minor scale: One note apart: Melodic minor has b3 where major has 3.