Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. The major scale is the foundation from which all other scales are formed.

A major scale is a diatonic scale. The sequence of intervals between the notes of a major scale is: “whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half”, where “whole” stands for a whole tone, and “half” stands for a semitone. A major scale may be seen as two identical tetrachords separated by a whole tone. Each tetrachord consists of two whole tones followed by a semitone: “whole, whole, half“. The C major scale begins with a C and ends with a C. The same rule applies with the rest of the keys where a D Major Scale begins and ends with a D and so on. The notes on a major scale is numbered from 1 to 8, this signifies the intervals.

Building Major Scales

 

How to play the C Major scale on the Mandolin

The C Major scale is easy to play on the mandolin, especially when using open chords (D open chord and A open chord). Nevertheless, it is more beneficiary to learn to play in closed positions, i.e. avoiding open strings. This will give your fingers strength, not to mention that by shifting two fingers down, you will then play the D major chord. This is only possible when you play closed positions! So here it is:

 

Other Scales and Key Signatures articles in the Mandolin Theory series

  • Mandolin Theory - Key Signatures

Mandolin Theory – Key Signatures

April 12th, 2014|Comments Off on Mandolin Theory – Key Signatures

In musical notation, a key signature is a set of sharp or flat symbols placed together on the staff. Key [...]

  • Scale Degrees

Mandolin Theory – Scale Degrees

March 29th, 2014|Comments Off on Mandolin Theory – Scale Degrees

Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. In music theory, a scale degree [...]

  • the minor scale

Mandolin Theory – The Minor Scales

March 28th, 2014|Comments Off on Mandolin Theory – The Minor Scales

Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. The notes of the minor [...]

  • The C Major Scale

Mandolin Theory – The Major Scale

March 2nd, 2014|Comments Off on Mandolin Theory – The Major Scale

Scales refer to a series of notes that go in an ascending and descending manner. The major scale is the [...]

 

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