The major scale is used to improvise over songs and chord progressions in major keys. Its interval pattern is Tone-Tone-Semitone-Tone_Tone_Tone_Semitone. To learn more about the chords used in each and every major key, click here.
Major Scale in A – Pattern 1
Below is pattern 1 of the major scale in the key of A. The red dot on the diagram indicates the root of the scale (note A).
Learn the scale above by memory. Then, press play on the track below and improvise a solo over it using the scale above.
Track in A Major
Major Scale in A – Pattern 2
Below is pattern 2. Note that this pattern is in a higher position on the guitar fretboard and shares some notes on the fretboard with pattern 1. As before, learn pattern 2 by memory. Then, press play on the track above and this time improvise a solo over it using pattern 2.
Major Scale in A – Pattern 3
Pattern 3 of the A major scale starts on fret 7. Learn this pattern by memory and improvise over the track above using it.
Major Scale in A – Pattern 4
The easiest way to locate pattern 4 of any major scale on the fretboard is to find its root note on the 5th string (in this case note A). Once you have done that, move 3 frets down from the root note and you are then in the position of patterrn 4. Improvise over the track above once you know pattern 4 by memory.
Major Scale in A – Pattern 5
Pattern 5 has its root note on the 5th string. As with the previous patterns, learn this pattern now and improvise over the track above.
The Complete Major Scale in A
Finally, below are the 5 patterns you have just learned. Notice how they all share notes. For example, some of the notes in pattern 1 are notes of pattern 2. Press play on the track above and improvise using all patterns. You may first want to start experimenting with just two patterns such as, improvising just using patterns 1 and 2. Once you are comfortable moving from pattern 1 to 2, then improvise using patterns 2 and 3 and so. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. This is how you will become good at improving. Above all, have fun!
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