Considered one of the first soloing ideas you encounter when studying how to play guitar is the main scale.
This scale is used to solo over main household chords, particularly tonic main chords, comparable to main, maj7, maj9, 6, and 6/9 chords.
Although it’s referred to as the main scale, it’s additionally referred to as the Ionian mode, so understanding each names prevents confusion in your research.
On this lesson you find out how to construct the Ionian, how to apply it to your solos, important positions and fingerings, main scale patterns, and basic licks.
Fast Info
What are the 12 main scales? There are 12 main scales, one for every be aware in the chromatic scale. These root notes for every main scale are C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, and B. The notes which are doubled, like C#/Db, are the similar be aware spelled two methods, one with a pointy and one with a flat.
How do you construct a serious scale? The formulation for constructing a serious scale is W-W-H-W-W-W-H. W is a complete step, two frets on a guitar, and H is a half step, one fret on the guitar. You simply begin on any be aware, the root of the scale, add the interval formulation and you’ve got the notes in the scale. For instance, beginning on A you get A (W) B (W) C# (H) D (W) E (W) F# (W) G# (H) A.
How do you write a serious scale? You possibly can write a serious scale with the numbers, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7, since no notes are altered, the main scale is the base scale for intervals. You may also write it out in notes like C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C for the C main scale. You may also use Solfege comparable to Do-Re-Mi-So-Fa-La-Si-Do for every be aware in the main scale.
How do you employ the main scale? You utilize the main scale to create licks, riffs, melodies, and whole solos over chords in the main key. So, when you have a development in the key of G main, comparable to G-Em-C-D, you employ the G main scale to solo over these chords.
What are the chords in a serious scale? The chords in a serious scale are all the time Imaj-iimin-iiimin-IVmaj-Vmaj-vimin-viidim. Or, for four-note chords you will have Imaj7-iim7-iiim7-IVmaj7-V7-vim7-viidim7.
What’s a relative minor scale? A relative minor scale has the similar notes as the main scale, although it begins from the 6th be aware. For instance, in C main the 6th be aware is A, so Am is the relative minor scale. C main is C D E F G A B C and A minor is A B C D E F G A. Similar notes, completely different beginning be aware.
Video Lesson
If you happen to want visible studying, right here’s a video lesson for this scale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HONg6zLIoz8
Scale Development
The main scale accommodates seven notes and has no sharps or flats when performed in the key of C.
These seven notes may be written quite a few methods, comparable to intervals:
R-2-3-4-5-6-7
Or you’ll be able to consider them as particular intervals like this:
P1-M2-M3-P4-P5-M6-M7
On this case, every interval image can be:
- P = Good Interval
- M = Major Interval
You may also consider the higher notes as extensions, 9-11-13, relatively than decrease notes, 2-4-6. Which means you consider the scale with this sample:
R-9-3-11-5-13-7
I want this mind-set, because it helps you visualize the higher chord extensions.
Right here’s how the C main scale appears to be like on the fretboard as each notes and intervals.
Play this form in C to get the sound of this scale into your ears, then transfer it to different keys to see the way it sits on the fretboard.
You need to use both system, 2-4-6 or 9-11-13, or a mix of each relying on the state of affairs.
Attempt each out and see which one you favor to take into consideration when visualizing, making use of, and scripting this scale.
Scale Software
Now that you know the way to construct this scale, check out how to apply this scale to a guitar soloing state of affairs.
The main scale is used to solo over any chords in the main household.
Major household chords embody:
- Maj7
- Maj9
- Maj6 (additionally written as simply 6)
- Maj6/9 (additionally written as 6/9)
- Maj7sus4
- Add9
These chords are all constructed from notes taken from Ionian.
Right here’s the scale and three chords which are constructed from that fingering to see how they relate to one another on the fretboard. 
To use this information, placed on a maj7, maj9, 6, Add9 and so forth. backing observe and solo over these chords with scale shapes from this lesson.
That can assist you get began, right here’s a C main backing observe to use for any train on this lesson.
C Major Backing Monitor
Chords Constructed From Scale
Listed here are Eight extra main scale chords you can be taught and add to your enjoying.
Every of those chords is constructed from the Ionian, and subsequently are used to comp when enjoying in a serious key.
Work these shapes by yourself, then apply them to tunes and chord progressions when prepared. 
Listed here are 4 Fifth-string main scale chords you can be taught and apply to your rhythm guitar enjoying.
After understanding these shapes, apply them to progressions and songs in your research. 
One Octave Fingerings
Listed here are quite a few one-octave scale shapes to work on in your observe routine.
When soloing, one-octave scales are efficient over fast-moving chords and key modifications.
There are three units of fingerings for one-octave shapes, beginning with shapes that use your index finger on the first be aware.
Work these shapes in 12 keys and solo over jam tracks utilizing these shapes as the foundation in your phrases.
This enables you to work main scales from each a technical and improvisational standpoint. 
You may also be taught main scales along with your center finger on the first be aware.
After you have these shapes down, transfer between the first 4 and these 4 in your improvisational observe routine. 
Lastly, listed below are 4 scales that start along with your pinky finger, besides the final one which begins in your ring finger. 
After you have all three units beneath your fingers, transfer between every of those scales in your observe routine.
Over time you’ll be taught all 12 fingerings, however that doesn’t imply you all the time have to have these shapes beneath your fingers.
It’s okay to decide your favorites and work them into your enjoying, whereas others you gained’t use that a lot.
Two Octave Fingerings
You possibly can take this scale a step additional by studying two-octave scale shapes.
Two-octave main scales come in useful when soloing over longer chord modifications or key facilities.
There are a selection of how to construct two-octave main scales, listed below are 4 of my favorites to get you began.
Study these shapes one by one, then mix two or extra as you dig additional into these vital scale shapes. 
Scale Patterns
You now try scale patterns over the positions that you simply realized to date.
To start, right here’s an ascending sample that expands your approach and fretboard data.
The sample is constructed by enjoying the scale in ascending 3rds.
Which means you play 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, and so forth. as you’re employed your method up the scale, on this case a two-octave G main scale.
Go gradual with this sample, work it by one and two-octave shapes and in several keys as you are taking it round the fretboard.
Click on to pay attention to Ionian Scales 1
You may also work this sample descending by any main scale fingering.
Once more, you play each second be aware to create the sample, as you’re employed your method down the fingering.
Click on to pay attention to Ionian Scales 2 
After you have each of those patterns beneath your fingers, placed on a serious key backing observe and add these 3rds to your solos.
You don’t have to play them in each line, however including thirds will boost your improvised phrases.
Three Licks For Guitar
In addition to studying scale patterns, you may also examine licks to construct your understanding of this scale in a soloing context.
This primary lick makes use of a typical jazz rhythm in the second bar, which you’ll hear in lots of Wes Montgomery’s solos.
Click on to pay attention to Ionian Scales 3 
The second main scale lick contains a sample that works down the scale, with a slide into the E in the first bar and B in the second bar.
Including one thing so simple as a slide to one or two notes can actually raise a phrase to the subsequent degree of creativity your solos.
Click on to pay attention to Ionian Scales 4 
The ultimate lick options one other widespread jazz rhythm, an 8th be aware adopted by two 16th notes, which you’ll add to your soloing vocabulary outdoors of this line.
Click on to pay attention to Ionian Scales 5 
After you have these licks down, write out Three main scale traces of your personal to construct your soloing vocabulary with this vital melodic system.
The main scale is important studying for any guitarist, and the materials on this lesson provides you every part you want to introduce this scale into your enjoying the proper method.