Practice/Foundations
Beginner 8 minutes Guided lesson

Major scale, first position

Learn the major-scale sound in every natural, sharp, and flat key.

Today's tempo ladder
Slow60BPMWorking70BPMGoal120BPM
Loop this measure

One-octave G major ascent

Eight even eighth notes from open G to fret 5 on the D course.

Target120 BPM
Root
Accidental
Direction
1 measure · repeats
Explanation

What this develops

Every major scale follows the same whole–whole–half, whole–whole–whole–half pattern. Choose any root from A to G, then add a sharp or flat when you want an altered key.

With both accidental toggles off, the selected root is natural. Each option stays in first position and ends exactly one octave above its starting note.

Coach's tip

Look one note ahead. Your fretting finger and pick should both know where the next note lives before the current note ends.

Practice plan

Take it to the instrument

  1. 1

    Begin in G and name each note while playing the ascending scale.

  2. 2

    Choose other roots and accidentals, listening for the same major-scale relationship at each new pitch.

  3. 3

    Play each key in reverse without changing its fingering pattern.

Finish this lesson

Mark it complete when you can play three relaxed, clean loops.