The Major Scale

Major Scale (Ionian):

Formula- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8(1)
R W W H W W W H

W = Whole Step (2 Half Steps)

H = Half Step (1 Note Away Ex. C à C#)

Scale of Chords- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
M m m M M m D

M = Major
m = Minor
D = Diminished

Uses:
• Runs/Licks over any chord progression in a Major Key
• Can be played over any corresponding Major Chord
o Ex: An F Major Scale can be played over an FMaj7 Chord
 The Minor Scales
Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian):

Formula- 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8(1)
R W H W W H W W
Scale of Chords- m D M m m M M m

*All Minor Keys have a relative Major Key in which it shares the same notes of its scale. To
find the relative major go to the 3rd scale degree of your natural minor scale and that is the
root note for your relative Major Scale/Key.

Ex: C Natural Minor is “related” to Eb Major

C Natural Minor- C D Eb F G Ab Bb
Eb Major- Eb F G Ab Bb C D
*These relative keys have the same exact notes but they are assembled in a different order.

Uses:
• Runs/Licks over any chord progression in the relative Major Key
• Can be played over any minor triad or m7 chord
o Ex: An F Natural Minor Scale can be played over an F minor chord

Harmonic Minor Scale:

Formula- 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 8(1)
R W H W W H W+H H
*There is an interval of 3 half steps in between the 6th and 7th scale degree.
Scale of Chords- m D Aug. m M M D m
th
Aug. = Augmented Chord (A triad in which the 5 is raised a half step)

*The Harmonic Minor Scale is the foundation for all minor harmony.
Uses:
• Used to create advanced harmony & chords in songs & compositions.
• Can be played over any minor triad or MinorMajor7 chord
o Ex: An F Harmonic Minor Scale can be played over an F minor triad

Melodic Minor Scale:

Formula- 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 8(1)
R W H W W W W H
Scale of Chords- m m Aug. M M D D m
Uses:
• Can be played over any minor triad, minor 6 chord or MinorMajor7 chord
o Ex: An F Melodic Minor Scale can be played over an F minor 6 chord.
 Pentatonic and Blues Scales
Pentatonic Scales:

Pentatonic scales are the best scales to use when starting to learn about improvisation! A
pentatonic scale is only 5 notes and can be used in a multitude of ways when it comes to
improv. and soloing.

Major Pentatonic Scale-

Formula- 1 2 3 5 6
*Based off of the Major Scale

Ex: The C Major Pentatonic Scale would be C D E G A

Uses:
• Can be played over any Major Chord
o Ex: An F Major Pentatonic Scale can be played over an F Major 7 chord.
• The Major Pentatonic Scale based off of the root note in a given key can be played over
any diatonic chord in that key
o Ex: An Eb Major Pentatonic Scale can be played over any diatonic chord in the
key of Eb Major (Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb, C, Ddim)

Minor Pentatonic Scale-

Formula- 1 b3 4 5 b7
*Based off of the Natural Minor Scale

Ex: The C Minor Pentatonic Scale would be C Eb F G Bb

Uses:
• Can be played over any minor triad or minor 7th chord
o Ex: An F Minor Pentatonic Scale can be played over an F Minor 7 chord.
• The Minor Pentatonic Scale based off of the 6th note in a given key can be played over
any diatonic chord in that key
o Ex: An E Minor Pentatonic Scale can be played over any diatonic chord in the key
of G Major (G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F#dim)

Minor Blues Scale-

The minor blues scale is almost the exact same as the minor pentatonic scale. The blues scale
adds one extra note in the scale, the #4 or b5.
Formula- 1 b3 4 #4/b5 5 b7
*Based off of the Minor Pentatonic Scale

Ex: The C Minor Blues Scale would be C Eb F Gb G Bb

Uses:
• Can be played over any minor triad or minor 7th chord
o Ex: An F Minor Blues Scale can be played over an F Minor 7 chord.
• The Minor Blues Scale based off of the 6th note in a given key can be played over any
diatonic chord in that key
o Ex: An E Minor Blues Scale can be played over any diatonic chord in the key of G
Major (G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F#dim)

How to Practice Scales & Modes:

1. Practice each scale by playing the scale 4 octaves up & down.
a. Pay attention to the quality of each scale and the emotions it portrays.
b. After you play the scale, play the scale of chords using the formula above

2. Practice playing each scale over a given chord

a. Example 1: Play a basic Major triad in your left hand. Play the major scale, then
the major pentatonic, then the minor blues scale and compare the different
sounds & textures.
b. Example 2: Play a basic Minor triad in your left hand. Play all the minor scales,
then the minor pentatonic & blues scales. Compare the different sounds &
textures.
3. Practice a scale using intervals
a. Use 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, & 7ths to learn a scale to break up the monotony of
playing it up and down the piano
4. Practice Hannon exercises to improve technique, hand speed & dexterity
5. Create your own exercises to practice scales and ALWAYS HAVE FUN!!!

Special Notes:
1. Always practice scales to a metronome or tempo (click tracks, backing tracks, etc..)
2. START SLOW when learning a scale for the first time!!!
3. After you know the notes of the scale, be INTENTIONAL about playing the scale
musically! Don’t just mindlessly play the scale up and down
4. Learn to make melodies and create a “voice” from the scale you are playing.
5. The purpose of a scale is not to learn it so you can play it up and down as fast as
possible; the ultimate purpose of a scale is to give you a tool to make music from
(creating melodies and a message).