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We previously talked about the major and minor scales, their construction, and the theory behind them. Today we are going to take a closer look at how to apply this scale to our playing. This post is the first talking about the seven modes of the major scale, so we’ll also take a look at exactly what that means.

The 3-note per string shape

There are a few ways to navigate the scales throughout the neck, and for these lessons we will be using a group of shapes called the 3-note per string shapes, whose name is self-explanatory. A scale shape is a way of group the notes together in a way that it is easy to play the scale on the neck. Let’s look at the Major scale shape, and a tablature example of the A major scale.

The great thing about these scale shapes, is that they can easily be transposed. You’ll notice this shape starts on the 5th fret of the low E string, which is an A note.  so if you wanted to play the C major scale, just move this shape up to start on a C (8th fret). This is one of the great things about playing guitar. Where a piano player has to learn all 12 scales individually, you can remember one shape and be able to play in any key!

how to use the major scale

You can rearrange the notes from the A major scale in any way you choose to create riffs and melodies. These melodies will be on key not only over an A major chord, but over any chords from the A major scale (which would be A - Bm - C#m - D - E - F#m - G#dim).

The major scale has a more “happy” tonality to it, and is better suited for more upbeat, poppy songs, and is seen a lot in classical ballads.  In later weeks we’ll get to some of the darker scales.

What are modes?

All 7 note scales actually have 7 ‘modes’, which we will be looking at over the next couple weeks. Most music is based around the 7 modes of the major scale, which are called the diatonic modes.

Modes are generated by starting the scale on different notes. Since there are seven notes, you get seven different modes. The major scale can also be referred to as the Ionian Mode. The other six are the Dorian, Phygerian, Lydian, Mixolydian , Aeolian, and Locarian modes, but we’ll be taking a look at those in upcoming articles.