The major scale is like the alphabet of music.
If you can spell it, you can talk in music. If you can’t… well, your guitar will sound like it’s complaining.

Here’s the secret recipe for a major scale:

W W H W W W H

Where:

  • W = Whole Step (move 2 frets on guitar)
  • H = Half Step (move 1 fret on guitar)

Think of it like walking:

  • Whole step = taking two big steps
  • Half step = taking one small step
    So the major scale is basically: Big Big Small Big Big Big Small

Example: G Major Scale

Start on G, follow the recipe:

G → A → B → C → D → E → F# → G

G Major Scale

Notice the F#? That’s because the recipe told us to! (Don’t blame me, blame the formula.)

Why This Matters

The major scale is the parent of chords. From it, you get:

  • 1, 4, 5 = Major chords (happy, powerful)
  • 2, 3, 6 = Minor chords (sad, moody)
  • 7 = Diminished chord (the “uh-oh” sound)

And here’s a fun trick:

  • The 6th chord is the relative minor of the root note.
    (Like Batman’s moody cousin who always wears black.)