Major and Minor Scales

Image of part of a page of sheet music of the A Minor Scales in notation and tab for guitar.

Music is patterns of sound, and two fundamentals in music are rhythm patterns (how combinations of long and short notes relate to a steady beat or pulse) and pitch patterns (what notes are played).

The specific pitches used in a piece of music are usually derived from a scale. This post explores major and minor scales for piano and guitar.

One Octave Scales in Three Positions in 12 Keys

An image of the A Major Scale for guitar in first position.

The most common one octave scale positions in all 12 keys. These are a great way to begin to see the different shapes a major can take on the classical guitar and the electric guitar and will prepare you for 2 octave scales.