C Major Scale : Guitar

C-major strip : VisualGuitar.com
Play Scale Slow | Play Scale Fast | Play Musical Example

Any major scale starts on a root note and ends on a root note. The formula is from the lower root you move a whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. In a straight line it is easy to see this pattern (see scale above). Below is a color coded map of the Key of C Major. It is the same as the white notes on a piano. There are no sharps or flats. Below there are exercises that isolate single octave groupings.

C Major Scale : VisualGuitar.com
C Major Scale Map

Exercises

The numbers on the notes tell you which finger to use. 1=index 2=middle 3=ring 4=pinky
Play each scale smoothly and gradually build up speed. Alternate your picking by downstroking on the first note then upstroking on the second, then down on the third note and up on the fourth and so on. Your pick should go up and down to play succesive notes. Play each scale from the lower root to the upper root and back while tapping your foot in time.

C Major Scale : Octave Groups 3, 1 : VisualGuitar.com
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 3, 1
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 4, 2, 6 : VisualGuitar.com
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 4, 2, 6
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 7, 5 : VisualGuitar.com
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 7, 5
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 8, 9 : VisualGuitar.com
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 8, 9
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 1+6 : VisualGuitar.com
C Major Scale : Octave Groups 1+6

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