C Major Scales

This will help you learn how to improvise, and eventually write your own songs, in the Key Of C Major. Every Key Has 7 Different Positions: Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, Ionian, Dorian, and Phrygian. When Playing In The Key of C Major, every one of these scales can be used, and be in this key. Practice Playing each of these in different styles. I learned to play each in different ways which I will list on here as well, but here are the scales first:

1st Position (Lydian)
|------------------------------1-3-5------------------|
|--------------------------3-5------------------------|
|--------------------2-4-5----------------------------|
|--------------2-3-5----------------------------------|
|--------2-3-5----------------------------------------|
|--1-3-5----------------------------------------------|

2nd Position (Mixolydian)
|------------------------------3-5-7------------------|
|--------------------------5-6------------------------|
|--------------------4-5-7----------------------------|
|--------------3-5-7----------------------------------|
|--------3-5-7----------------------------------------|
|--3-5-7----------------------------------------------|

3rd Position (Aeolian)
|------------------------------5-7-8------------------|
|------------------------5-6-8------------------------|
|--------------------5-7------------------------------|
|--------------5-7-9----------------------------------|
|--------5-7-8----------------------------------------|
|--5-7-8----------------------------------------------|

4th Position (Locrian)
|-----------------------------------7-8-10------------|
|------------------------------8-10-------------------|
|-----------------------7-9-10------------------------|
|----------------7-9-10-------------------------------|
|---------7-8-10--------------------------------------|
|--7-8-10---------------------------------------------|

5th Position (Ionian)
|---------------------------------------8-10-12-------|
|----------------------------------8-10---------------|
|--------------------------9-10-12--------------------|
|------------------9-10-12----------------------------|
|----------8-10-12------------------------------------|
|--8-10-12--------------------------------------------|

6th Position (Dorian)
|---------------------------------------------10-12-13|
|-------------------------------------10-12-13--------|
|----------------------------10-12--------------------|
|-------------------10-12-14--------------------------|
|----------10-12-14-----------------------------------|
|-10-12-13--------------------------------------------|

7th Position (Phyrigan)
|--------------------------------------------12-13-15-|
|-----------------------------------12-13-15----------|
|-----------------------------12-14-------------------|
|--------------------12-14-15-------------------------|
|-----------12-14-15----------------------------------|
|--12-13-15-------------------------------------------|

So Those Are the 8 positions. And just so no one gets confused or anything, I put these from the begining to end on the fret board. However, if you want to be technical, the real order of the positions goes Ionian, Dorian, Phyrigan, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. I just wanted everyone to be able to look at these and see where they all connect, hopefully its easier.

You should try and master each of these, one at a time, and before moving on to the next one, you should be able to know how to play each in from begining to end, and end to begining. Also, A good bit of practice with this is to play the scales like this, Ill use the Ionian Scale as an example.

|----------------------------------------------------|
|----------------------------------------------------|
|------------------------------------------9----10-9-|
|--------------------------9----10-9-12-10---12------|
|----------8----10-8-12-10---12----------------------|
|--8-12-10---12--------------------------------------|

|--------------------8----10-8-12--------------------|
|--------10----12-10---12----------------------------|
|--12-10----12---------------------------------------|
|----------------------------------------------------|
|----------------------------------------------------|
|----------------------------------------------------|

I know that might look confusing, but if you start doing it on guitar, it gets to be pretty easy. Also, another good trick is to try this and always have your fingers stay on the note and just move the finger you need to to continue the scale. Like, for the Ionian Scale, you would do 8-10-12 on the Low E string, and then you would keep you middle and pinky fingers on the 10 and 12, and then just move your index finger onto the 8 on the A string, and then after that move your middle finger on the 10 on the A string, and still keep your pinky on the Low E 12, then Move your Pinky on to the 12 on the A String, and continue like that up the scale, its not easy, but its very good for training your fingers.

Well thats just about it for this lesson, and just so you know, it took me about 2-3 months to get everything on here mastered, since my teacher only gave me one a week, and I would have to practice each of them with all these things, and then eventually memorize the names in order, then play them by the name of them, which he called out randomly, so dont get mad if its taking a long time, and seriously, dont try and rush it cuz you'll get it all confused and just end up hurting your guitar playing in the end.

Comments

[rhcpcure2826]

heres a ten times better lesson in tablature form:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/m/misc_scales/essential_scales_tab.htm

you didnt cover nearly as many scales as he did. and you didnt explain a whole lot.

[Slash15]

look man who gives a shit its in C unlike all the others that are in A

[SiLeNcEaNSoRrOw]

thx I was actually just lookin for this today

[daemonsbane1]

I enjoyed the lesson at least..and C is just as important as A and plenty of songs are written in it. Wow some people have problems. I do think you needed some more explanation on what all the modes mean..that confused me.

[Ash_Lawrence]

Morons....great lesson

[bassdrum]

you guys are just jealous you couldn't write such a good lessen. Great lesson man!

[Cubo]

I am trainin' this but is it OK that there's one note twice in the Ionian scale? And also i'll be glad to have all the scales written in that special training mode (i'm too [e-mail]

[Edge_Rocks]

yea Im an idiot, the on the Ionian scale, its supposed to be 10-12 on the B string, and just if you're wondering when you'd ever use this set of scales, it can give a pretty good jazz sound.

[djhatcher]

djhatcher great lesson man thanks for that

[Dan7]

nice lesson, I finally somewhat understand the modes

[Cubo]

Thanx Edge. have you got also some minor scales? If you got dont forget to submit them

[Kingston_08]

ei, i really learned a lot..i was hoping that cu d some more so that many would become more talented like
me..you're the best dude..

[thestudios]

rhcpcure2826, you're clearly a prick. I've gone through plenty of lessons on this site and I've seen posts from you constantly cutting people up for taking the time to write a lesson, provide tips, or simple scales. If you don't like it, who gives a shit. Shut the *** up. I dont see you doing any better. You ***ing tool

[the_ashtraygirl]

thanks for taking the time to tab these scales, It's really helpfull. Looking forward for more.

[phishrules]

thnx 4 tabbing this out it helped me alot f$#$ all u who rag on this lesson at least he took the time to tab it out dont take ur anger out on this guy cause u cant play guitar every 1 knows u take the anger out on the guitar maybee thats why u still suk ay playing just give up man lol

[wenhellfreeze22]

yea man this is great...i am jsut starting out and i want 2 start learnin scales...this was perfect f4 me...screw evere1 4 givin u shit 4 takin ur time to help evere1 else

[wenhellfreeze22]

actually dude...i need 2 get sum other scales...esspecially lik any in A...if its like this then itll be perfect

[SilentDeftone]

This would have been more appropriately titled 'Modes of C major'. It's not very explanatory - all you really did was tab the modes out and name them. Sure it helps some people, but wouldn't it be more effective if you explained how you achieved those scales? Then you wouldn't have people asking for the modes in A?

[DrewRoth]

if you're got the need to insult people in cyber space - where you don't even know them for anything other than their best attempts to offer their own knowledge as aid to another - then you send a message something along the lines of "i'm a deutche bag! look at me!"
...just a comment in answer to all the comments... i liked the lesson, nice job.

[codyatkin]

great lesson this is helping me strenthen my fingers

[LedZep_freak20]

good job, but these are modes, not major scales

[Guitar ace]

/\ led zepplin rules (did i spell that right?)

[Guitar ace]

is there any sort of like a B scale or anything?

[stinkykuch]

great work, very impresses

[disuse_PUNK]

hey, this pretty much says that modes are the same as positions!.....right?

[beaker]

ledzepfreak, modes are major scales!!!! good lesson all the same, you shud definately mention the chords that go under the modes though, else they are all just majors scales

[ORGIEKEPS]

a big big yes.coz it's a big help for me>>>>

[dreamsound]

awesome I've been looking for a way to practice this scale, since I have two songs that I want to write in C Major. More lessons pls!

[Pon]

Perfect for newbie practice (me). I'm printing this & writing the standard notation next to it so I can memorize both at the same time.

[ac/guns n zep]

arent all of those scales just C major and then it depends on which note you make the root note to determine the mode?

[Mr.Jack_SG]

thanks man i needed to learn some scales and stuff like that to help me make good solos. this will help alot. thanks

[ORGIEKEPS]

tanjuvewimuj!!!!!it's a big help for me!!! thankzz

[phil_]

ahh man...thats alot of help, i was moping around, i like the sound of everything on C

[TasianSensation]

sweet! this helps a lot because i was looking for the scale to make a solo for a song in Am

[Blood0NyourLips]

Look,this is a great lesson for so many reasons.
First of all,it is very well explained and it teaches mods,which I always found difficult.Not anymore.
But the most important thing is that it's written for the C Major scale,which is great,since learning all the natural notes on the guitar is essential.
Even the fingering is explained so I dunno what else I could ask from this lesson.If you know how to combine it with a couple of other lessons,you'll have a great understanding of scales and mods,trust me.Great job!

[crassus_048]

Thanks Man! This could be a very big help to me!
Keep up the good work!

[alaub1491]

shouldve talked more about modes more.

[sTx]

I don't understand how scales help in soloing...

[Bulletforyou]

you don't say what tuning it's in... i assume it's in standard EADGBe

[dryh2o_podz11]

rhcpcure2826 thx 4 the tabs it relly help me alot :M:

[dryh2o_podz11]

rhcpcure2826 thx 4 the tabs it really help me alot

[dryh2o_podz11]

can some one help me how to combine chords to scales
here's ma email [e-mail]

[dryh2o_podz11]

P.S. and how 2 make solo lids or adlibs

[<Insanity>]

Thanks a ton. I've been wanting to get into learning scales for a while now, this is going to help me a lot, especially with improvising.

[eklipt]

Someone please help im very confused about one part. i just started learning these different types of scaled and i want to be able to transfer all 7 of the scales into the way you changed the the ionian. It seems pretty simple except one part. On the ionian scale the b string is 8 10 but on the the other version it is 10 12. Did the writer make a mistake is it suppose to be 8 10 or is that really the way it should be? If that is the way it should be someone please tell me why. Thank you.

[Le Tard]

Really goof Job on Tabbing these scale...Thank you very much for the effort

[Le Tard]

Le Tard wrote:Not Goof job but Good job...Sorry

Really goof Job on Tabbing these scale...Thank you very much for the effort

[the1nonlycrazi]

you should focus more on getting better then trying to teach...

[trowe]

I just started playing less than a week ago and by learning these various scales i have not only improved my confidence in my playing ability i have excelled in my speed and accuracy in hitting notes. I now feel familiar with the lowest end of my frett board. thanks bro. don't listen to the other faggots

[joshpride367]

hey whats the time we have to play it in is there a curtain amount of time we have to play each scale

[joshpride367]

hey i was just wondering if u had to play each scale in a curtain amount of time

[joshpride367]

i played the first scale for about an hour and i noticed a huge improvement this is an awesome lesson

[guitarman547]

niceee.

[janamere69]

helpful

[chris delk]

thanks i was looking all over for this

[doive]

these 3 notes per string patterns are especially useful to me as a bassist and strangely hard to find...

[Lemik Adrian]

Wow, that was awesome. Its better than that English-Syrian user.


" I know many songs to play on my guitar but all the fish want me to play are Scales."

[lbc_sublime]

these aren't even modes so no one think of them as that he is simply calling these scale posistion by tha same name of modes. these modes are however relative to the Cmaj scale but are used differently.

lets say you have a progression C G F A D

these modes some might think you could use.

however this is key based music and modes do not apply therefor you are simply playing in the key of Cmaj and not D dorian and so on.

if you where to play in the relative dorian mode of Cmaj which would be D dorian that would imply you are using the intervals 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 as a structure.

you would need to play a Dmin6 chord and have the tonal center of the song D. now just naming the position after reelative modes isn't nessicarily bad as long as someone reading this understands what a mode is,how to use them, and what he is referinig to.

if you start on the 5th position here the starting point is C implying by ionian that C is the root note
of this scale. intervals being 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8(octave)
giving you the notes CDEFGABC

if you move up 1 position to the 6th. the position starts on D. calling it dorian implies the intervals 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

obviously it can't be C dorian because C dorian is C D Eb F G A Bb C

so it implies that the root note is changed to D changing the tonal center and the scale completelyto
D E F G A B C D

[EldonsName24]

could this lesson be written in the 24 fret diagram?
I can't already assume where the scales start(roots)

[franZka]

thanks =]

[cowboycraig]

Truly we can never do enough scales. When scales (any one of them but C is a better one I think) becomes hardwired in your brain... and a natural reaction you are getting there. When improvisational inspiration hits, there isn't time to think. You either have the hard won technical skill to ground it into sound, or you don't. This is of great use.

Craig

[demonofthenight]

Modes arent positions or shapes. It's wrong to teach them like that.

[inethacker]

the lesson was ok but just for the record your C Ionian scale is wrong. this is correct:

e|---|---|10-|---|12-|13-|
B|---|---|10-|---|12 -|13-|
G|---|-9-|10-|---|12-|---|
D|---|-9-|10-|---|12-|-- -|
A|-8-|---|10-|---|12-|---|
E|-8-|---|10-|---|12-|---|

[gagnon1987]

THANX MAN THIS WILL HLP ME I JUST PRINTED IT OFF...TO ADD TO MY BINDER THIS LOOKS USEFUL

[FukFace]

Exactly! thnx for posting that on here.

lbc_sublime wrote:

these aren't even modes so no one think of them as that he is simply calling these scale posistion by tha same name of modes. these modes are however relative to the Cmaj scale but are used differently.

lets say you have a progression C G F A D

these modes some might think you could use.

however this is key based music and modes do not apply therefor you are simply playing in the key of Cmaj and not D dorian and so on.

if you where to play in the relative dorian mode of Cmaj which would be D dorian that would imply you are using the intervals 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 as a structure.

you would need to play a Dmin6 chord and have the tonal center of the song D. now just naming the position after reelative modes isn't nessicarily bad as long as someone reading this understands what a mode is,how to use them, and what he is referinig to.

if you start on the 5th position here the starting point is C implying by ionian that C is the root note
of this scale. intervals being 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8(octave)
giving you the notes CDEFGABC

if you move up 1 position to the 6th. the position starts on D. calling it dorian implies the intervals 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

obviously it can't be C dorian because C dorian is C D Eb F G A Bb C

so it implies that the root note is changed to D changing the tonal center and the scale completelyto
D E F G A B C D

[yaaarp]

This helped a whole lot, I knew all the Tones and whole tones and the formulas to all the modes but I was way to lazy to figure out the positions.

[BlaZeDude]

yo thanx for the lesson man. I've actually had the dorian and the aeolian scale a couple of lessons ago from my guitar teacher. but I play the Aeolian a bit different. in stead of using the 9th fret on the D-string I use the 4th fret on the G-string. it's still the same note, but I find it plays much easier for me.

[rokoutcokout]

This doesn't explain modes at all...also all modes are not Major scales. Three are major, three are minor, and one is diminished. Modes are basically variations upon scales which coincide with chordal patterns.

[Kortez3000]

I like this one alot, this is good practice.

[TimH09]

BlaZeDude wrote:

yo thanx for the lesson man. I've actually had the dorian and the aeolian scale a couple of lessons ago from my guitar teacher. but I play the Aeolian a bit different. in stead of using the 9th fret on the D-string I use the 4th fret on the G-string. it's still the same note, but I find it plays much easier for me.

can we improvise like that and still be the same thing? like could i play it all in different frets but still play the notes in order, or do i have to stick witht he box pattern?

[Dirk G.]

Brilliant!!!!! simplistic, just what I was looking for! Best lesson yet!!!!!Thanx