Major and minor scales are known as diatonic scales and have a very specific formula of intervals between each of the notes. They are also known as heptonic scales because they contain 7 notes and always contain two semitone intervals and 5 tones. Every major scale has a relative minor scale that contains exactly the same notes, but just in a different order
The easiest way to see how the scales are formed is by returning to the chromatic scale, this time in the key of C using sharp accidentals:
You can play all of these notes on the C string, starting with the open C as follows:
As mentioned previously, all notes above are set a SEMITONE apart from each other. To find the formula for any major scale you need to follow this sequence, adding in some TONES or FULLSTEPS, which are notes set two spaces apart:
This now gives you the 7 notes of the C major scale as follows:
Take a moment to listen to the sounds of this scale. You might find it surprisingly familiar.
Knowing this can help you figure out the formula for minor scales. The relative minor of each major scale is taken from the 6th position, or degree, of the scale. In this case it is that note is ‘A’. This note moves to 1st position so now the formula shifts to:
Take a moment to listen to the sounds of this scale and how it sounds slightly more melancholic in nature compared to the C major scale, even though they contain the exact same notes.
There are a few ways to play each of the above scales but we will put them into practice a bit later. For now let's have a look at the Pentatonic scale, which is great for developing solos and improvising.