How To Build A Major Scale
Okay, so with your new found mental model of notes, you can learn the 2nd most important thing in all of musicdom (yes, that's now a word...) and that's how to build a major scale.
Every chord, every scale, every key... everything is described in terms of its relationship to a major scale. Obviously now is not the time to get into how those relationships work, but we'll cover some of them very soon.
So that means that if you can build major scales quickly and easily (and you will after this video and a little practice) then you can do pretty much anything else you need to do... and that's exciting!
So just like the last video, I've made up some exercises for you to try at home. Download the PDF below and print it out and try and do the examples for yourself. I'll send you the answers tomorrow, just like before.
Downloads For This Lesson
You may need to right-click the following links and select Save Link As to download the file to your computer
Leave A Reply (27 comments So Far)
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John Wenek
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John Wenek
Hi Griff,
Per a previous email I sent you, I was introduced to your program by my friend, John Barker.
Have enjoyed the lessons thus far. Your style is very student-friendly and the lessons proceed in a logical manner; I am getting to relive the music theory portion of my first couple of years in high school!
One observation thus far: this lesson builds on the mental model developed in lessons one and two and leaves a student with the impression that when doing the accompanying exercises, notes such as B#, Cb, E# and Fb can't be used when completing the exercises when, in fact, they are necessary. This should be clarified. FYI.
John
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A Martinez
Super explanation and such great way to teach Griff. Thank you
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Hi Griff I've been really enjoying all this theory stuff but I'm just a little confused with a couple of things in this building major scales video. I was going along really well with the questons and answers until it came to building the F# AND C# Major scales and you've used E #. In the previous block method of how notes work there is no E# so I got those two examples wrong. Did I miss something important here? Thanks Rosie.
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Bob Ducharme
Thanks Griff, I knew they were the same, just wanted to make sure of the correct way, excellent lessons.
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That's a common misconception. There is an E#, it's the same as F. It's just like B# being the same as C. They are enharmonic. Fb is also the same as E just as Bb is the same as A#. Sharp just means to raise one half-step, not necessarily to just slap a sharp sign on it. So sometimes you end up with some odd ones
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Bob Ducharme
Griff, I printed ot Your "All Major Scales page and in going through it, the F# Major scale goes from D# to E#, but since there are no sharps or flats between E to F, shouldnt it be an F instead of E#? Thanks.
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Thanks Griff
Very good explanation - thanks. Just one thing though: you're starting every scale in the exercise with C apart from the Db and Gb scales. Is this a typo as suggested in other comments?
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Karenannecherry
Hi griff thanks for this. But can't download video on major scale. I could oPen first one with safari but not his one. Could u send it again? I'm keen to learn. Cheers karen
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@Tony - I think you're getting the notes and the space confused. Remember that the WS and HS are referring to spaces between notes. So if you start on C and go up a WS you get D. Then you need to go up another WS to E, then a HS to F, WS to G, WS to A, WS to B, and finally a HS to B. It's an easy mistake to make.
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Tony Ryan
This makes no sense to me.
According to your instructions, C Major should read C D D# E F G G# A; which means that the note B is missed out, which counters your other rule. I have no idea how you got the patern of notes presented the next day. Did I miss a lesson here?
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outstanding, griff!!...i've understood the formula for the major scale for some time, but the whole concept of "diatonic" always seemed to allude me...well, not anymore...incidentally, i've taken your blues unleashed course, and it was fantastic; you're a great teacher...keep up the good work, and keep sharing the love, man!
allen mcleod
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Doug
Awesome Griff !!! I can't say enough good about your presentations. That truly did open the door to more music understanding. Keep up the great work.
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Robert
Sorry! I ment sense
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Robert
Stuff I've struggled with for years is finally making since. Are you left handed? Anyway thanks so much!
Bad Bob
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Doug
Griff, Some people, like me, might be able to remember numbers better than "wwhwwwh". I always remember "2212221" which is very similiar to a phone number!
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John T
Griff, love your explinations. So simple.
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Charles
Hey Griff!
I am very pleased with the method in which you teach how to build a major scale! I got it!
thanks very much!!! -
Tom Fassbender
Griff, thank you so much for the insight into music structure. I never quite understood what it was all about and it has never been explained in such a straight forward way. I am enjoying this very much. I look forward to all of your instruction. Thanks Again.
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buz johns
love it
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Why not simply say: Every diatonic major scale consists of 2whole steps + a 1/2step and 3whole steps + a 1/2 step? Little more advanced: Use the cycle of 4th's to determine the number of flats; use the cyle of 5th's to determine the number of sharps.
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Joseph Jacobs
Hey Griff, I think I'm getting it?? How about putting all this in a simple DVD That we can Purchase from you - nothing fancy, just what you're teaching here. I missed the other two.
Thanks
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Joe
Griff,
I completed the exercise sheet you provided. I agree with Rick Frost from below e-mail. I changed the starting note to match the scale requested. I did this to create each scale. I guess it could have been done each time starting with C as long as the proper WWHWWWH steps were used starting at the requested notes. I thought this to be a typo.
Thanks,
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Allen Butturini
Hi Griff
Is a full bend using the major scale a half tone or a full tone when the next tone in the scale is a half tone step? i.e. In the key of C, would you bend E to F or would you bend to F#?
Thanks for your help.
Allen
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David Herd
Excellent and really well presented. you make everything sound so easy and as I have said before in such comments you make it sound as if we all know you. its a pleasure to do these lessons.
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Alan
This is all very useful stuff and well presented. Keep it coming...many thanks. Alan
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Rick Frost
Hi Griff
Thanks for sending the Mental Model of Notes and am working through that, also lesson 3 Major Scales which I thought had got that sorted but when I clicked on the exercise I am now a bit confused you have a C after every one except Db Major & Gb Major-----I must be missing something as you have just demonstrated say F Major Scale as being F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F
I would be grateful for some clarification (I have gone through the video twice!)Although I have the BGU course from late last year, I decided to order your beginners course as well and it should arrive shortly. Looking forward to getting started.
Your method of teaching is fantastic, I'm 62 and after all these years (had an electric guitar when I was in my teens) hoping to be able to play some blues on a guitar I brought a couple of years ago.
Many thanks for your videos, emails etc.Best Wishes
Rick Frost, England
Hi Griff,
Further to my note yesterday and in a mutual spirit of sharing, here is an article I found at another instructional website: http://guitarplanet-david.blogspot.com/2012/03/practice-with-your-mind-perform-with.html It speaks to practicing with your mind and performing with your heart. It is very informative and very well-written. For the personal enjoyment and growth of you, as well as your students!
John