To play the C major scale in the following score, start from the second position (fifth string, finger 2). When you reach the A and B of the third string, carry out the portamento without sound to get the fifth position. So in this article, we will give you a complete guide about the C# major scale. There are no particular difficulties in the descending phase, and it is enough to follow the fingering and the indicated strings carefully. The score scale is not for the beginner.
Table of Contents
The scale on the guitar fretboard graphs: c# major scale
The C major scale is made up of the notes Do – Re – Mi – Fa – G – A – Si. It corresponds to the natural hierarchy and has no altered notes.
The respective similar scale is that of A minor. The latter is also a natural staircase. Configuration of the C major scale (natural scale) in the guitar fretboard. This scale’s notes correspond precisely to that of A natural minor and that of melodic A minor in the descending phase.
Scale in the first position: C# Major Scale
All the open strings will be played (if desired, you can also play the third string, fourth fret with finger n ° 4). When reaching the highest G (first string, third fret), perform portamento with finger n ° 1 to get the second octave.
Scale in the fifth position: C# Major Scale
Upon reaching A on the fourth string (seventh fret), move the left hand to enter the fourth position on the third string. Getting the second string must be done with the needle back in the fifth position. Staying in the fifth position, if you have a reasonable extension of the fingers, you can reach the B of the fourth string (eighth fret).
In this way, the hand will remain fixed in the fifth position for both octaves. This also applies to other scales with the same finger movements. For those with a broader finger span, the plate can perform it in the manner shown below. When you reach the A on the fourth string (seventh fret), spread the finger n ° 4 to get the B of the fret n ° 9. In this way, unlike the scale shown above, the hand remains in the fifth position for its entire length. This also applies to other plates with the same finger movements.
Scale in the seventh position: C# Major Scale
In this representation, the scale between two octaves can be performed without moving the left hand. All the notes of the C major musical scale are included within four keys. The left hand is in the seventh position. At the musical scales
musical significant scales: C# Major Scale
But if you just look at it, you risk not progressing quickly! Millennials listen to much more music than their parent’s generation, the baby boomers, according to a study by Digital Music News, but not everyone can play an instrument. However, the guitar is no exception: it is not by contemplating it or listening to songs that you will learn to play the minor scale, the pentatonic, the harmonica, the melodic, or the C major scale.
So in this article, let’s see together how to play a major scale on the guitar. Did you know that the type of scale used to compose a piece and the octave changes significantly influence the effect produced on the listener?
What is a major scale on the guitar?
Everyone knows the C major scale, even those who don’t play any instruments.
Do not you believe it? Ask anyone to tell you the most common succession of musical notes, and in the vast majority of cases, you will get the answer:
- Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si, Do.
- And here is the C major scale.
These notes correspond exactly to the white keys of the piano. To obtain other scales, you will only have to alter the notes, removing or adding a tone or halftone from some notes. So find guitar lessons online or guitar lessons at home with Superprof. It!
How is the major scale structured?
The major scale consists of 7 notes. Precisely for this reason, it falls under the definition of a heptatonic c# major scale. Within the scale, each note is at most one tone from the previous and the following.
We strongly recommend that you memorize the intervals between one note and the next:
- from I ^ to II ^: 1 tone,
- from II ^ to III ^: 1 tone,
- So, from III ^ to IV ^: 1/2 tone,
- from IV ^ to V ^: 1 tone,
- from V ^ to VI ^: 1 tone,
- So, from VI ^ to VII ^: 1 tone,
- from VII ^ to I ^: 1/2 tone.
On the piano keyboard, the semitones are played with the black keys, except in the case of the interval between E and F and between B and C, already considered semitones (this is why the major scale of C on the piano does not include the use of the black keys).
Two mnemonic means can help you remember this structure:
- 1T – 1T – 0,5T – 1T – 1T- 1T – 0,5T,
- or 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1.
The second formula indicates the duration of the notes and the number of keys that must be skipped to get the next note. With this structure in mind, you don’t need to learn all the scales by heart. So you can start with any note (the initial note gives the scale its name) and build the right sequence by relying only on the scheme just seen. But be careful: to respect the intervals in a major scale, you will sometimes have to alter the notes by playing a sharp (+1/2 tone) or a flat (-1/2 tone).
Notes in a major scale are also called:
- I: toned
- II: supertonic
- III: Characteristic, through or modal
- IV: subdominant
- V: dominant
- VI: above dominant
- VII: undertone
Do you want to become a real expert? Also, learn to play the pentatonic scale or dabble with the chromatic scale.
What are the notes of major airports?: C# Major Scale
In guitar courses, you will quickly learn the diatonic scale, then move on to more complex musical methods, such as blues scales with the Mixolydian mode. But as its name indicates, the major scale is essential for any musician.
Whether you play jazz guitar, acoustic guitar, or electric guitar.
To help you transpose the major scale into all the keys, here is the list of the succession of notes in the different scales:
- Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si Do,
- Sol La Si Do Re Mi Fa # Sol,
- Re Mi Fa # Sol La Si Do # Re,
- La Si Do # Re Mi Fa # Sol # La,
- Mi Fa # Sol # La Si Do # Re # Mi,
- Si Do # Re # Mi Fa # Sol # La # Si,
- Fa Sol La Sib Do Re Mi Fa,
- Reb Eb Fa Solb Lab Sib Do Reb,
- Lab Sib Do Reb Eb Fa Sol Lab,
- Eb Fa Sol Lab Bb Do Re Eb,
- Bb C D E Eb Fa G A B,
- F # G # A # Si C # D # Mi # F #,
- C # D # Mi # F # G # A # Si # C #,
- G # A # Si # C # D # Mi # F # G #,
- D # Mi # Fa # Sol La Si Do # Re #,
- A # Si # Do ## Re # Mi # Fa ## G ## A #,
- Solb Lab Bb Dob Reb Eb Fa Solb.
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How to play the major scale on the guitar?: C# Major Scale
To play the major scale on the guitar, you will first choose which note to start from. To get started, we recommend starting with the C scale. The note C is played by pressing the finger on the second string at the third fret. So the major scale can be played horizontally by moving the fingers of two frets, two frets, one fret, two frets, two frets, two frets, one fret.
Knowing the major scale well and knowing how to adapt it to all the keys is essential to understand well the intervals of the basic chords and the chords played with the barré and compose and improvise without errors.
Here are some useful tips before you start playing major scales:
- Start doing them slowly, and only accelerate the pace when you have mastered them well.
- The scale consists of seven positions, but you don’t have to learn them all right away! Focus on one position and train yourself to perform it perfectly, without rushing to move on to the next. So add the positions one by one, without stopping the previous ones as well.
- We recommend using a pick with your right hand (left if you are left-handed) and with a back and forth motion. So if you are not very comfortable with the pick and this kind of movement, take the opportunity to practice this too,
- So use a metronome to learn how to keep time.
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How to read scales on guitar diagrams?
We recommend that you learn how to read guitar scale diagrams to be able to perform them without making mistakes. Here’s how they work:
- The horizontal lines correspond to the different strings of the guitar. The lowest line indicates the lowest chord, that of the low E, as in guitar scores,
- The vertical strokes indicate the frets: going to the right, you get closer to the body of the guitar,
- The numbers below the lines, not always present, indicate the number of the key,
- The darker circle indicates the root, the note that gives the scale its name,
- To start, play the notes from the lowest to the highest.
For the first position of the major scale, it will therefore be necessary to play as follows:
- Low E string: fret 8, then fret ten, and finally 12,
- A chord: 8 frets, then ten frets, finally 12 frets,
- D string: 9 frets, then ten frets, finally 12 frets,
- G string: 9 frets, then ten frets, finally 12 frets,
- B strings: 10 frets, then 12 frets, finally 13 frets,
- High E strings: 10 frets, then 12 fret,s, and finally 13 frets.
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C# major scale: Which fingers to use?
On all diagrams of the major scale, three notes are played for each string. You will therefore need to use three positions on each string.
There are three different positions:
- Two frets between the first two notes and two frets between the second and third notes,
- Two frets between the first two notes and a fret between the second and third notes,
- A key between the first two notes and two keys between the second and third notes.
You will therefore have to learn three different finger positions :
- Two keys / 2 keys: the offset is large enough. In this case, you have two possibilities: 1) index on the first note, middle finger on the second note and little finger on the third note 2) index on the first, ring finger on the second and little finger on the third,
- Two keys / 1 key: the index finger is used for the first, the ring finger for the second, and the little finger for the third,
- One key / 2 keys: index on the first, middle on the second, and earphone on the third.
- Attention, there is a detail not to be forgotten: you have to keep your fingers in position while playing the second and third notes. Only move them when you need to switch to the next rope.
To know more
Here is an example video showing the seven finger positions: C# major scale
Don’t forget to practice progressively to learn all the positions to perform. Learning the different scales and practicing with method and regularity is the best way to progress with the guitar: the major and the minor scale, the pentatonic scales … once you master all this, you can define yourself as a real guitar hero or a blues master!
