Building A Major Scale

A musical scale is a set of tones (notes) each having a definite pitch starting with a tonal center (root) and moving in specific intervals, from low to high, or alternatively, from high to low. The interval between tones of a scale is sometimes called a “step.”
When a musical scale is completed, the next interval is the ocatave of that scale. An octave is the next highest or lowest note that is identical to the root note. The electric bass guitar typically has metal strips, located on the figerboard called frets, to determine the difference in tones (notes).

The distance of one fret is called a half-step (semi-tone), while the distance of two frets is called a whole-step (tone).

Major Scale pattern.

The major scale has 7 notes arranged in the following pattern:

Root – Whole Step – Whole Step – Half Step – Whole Step – Whole Step – Whole Step – Half Step – Octave

Lets apply this pattern to a C Major scale, as in any other scale the name is determined by the root note. In this case C.

C – (whole Step) D – (whole Step) E – (half step) F – (whole step) G – (whole step) A – (whole step) B – (half step) C – which is the octave.
** Note that E & F and B & C have no sharps or flats between them.

The Major Scale on the Bass looks like this:

Note I did not include notes in the diagram. The reason is, because no matter what note is designated as the ROOT, of the major scale the same pattern will apply. Eb Major, or F Major, even C major, all use this same pattern. You simply start at the root note and apply the same finger pattern. ( There are alternate patterns that compromise the major scale, but for the purpose of this example we will stick to this pattern.) In our example we made a C Major Scale Simply follow the diagram to play a C Major.

The notes in F major are: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F. Apply the same pattern starting
at the F an you will be able to play a F Major.

The Numbers in our diagram, indicate the scale degree, as well as the interval when communicating with musicians, one might say, really emphasize the 7th, remember that position we will go into further detail later.

This lesson on scales, is only the beginning in learning scales, there are 7 other scales that all are built from the major scale called “modes”, there is one other which is considered major while others are minor, dominant, and diminished, we will also get into those terms as we progress. 

Practice:

Practice playing the major scale. Once you have committed the major scale pattern to memory, begin to make it rhythmic. A good exercise to utilize is playing the intervals in different orders.

Instead of playing the 1- 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – Octave

Try playing 1 – 3 – 2 – 4 – 5 – 7 – 6 – Octave. This excercise is called, staggered intervals