First Position Major Scales - Set 1

First Position Major Scales (Set 1) Video Transcription

Hello friends. Chris with BeginningGuitarOnline.com here. Today we're going over first-position major scales. If you're playing with a pick, I'd encourage you to use all downstrokes at first. If you're playing with your fingers, alternate the fingers.

C Major

Here we have C Major.

The C Major scale has no sharps or flats.

The C Major scale has no sharps or flats.


G Major

The G Major scale has one sharp on the seventh scale degree (F#).

The G Major scale has one sharp on the seventh scale degree (F#).

In our G Major scale here, we'll begin on the open 3rd string and ascend to the high G found on the 3rd fret 1st string. You'll notice I'm using my pinky on the top. Do try to use your pinky.

D Major

And here we have D Major.

The D Major scale has two sharps: F# and C#.

The D Major scale has two sharps: F# and C#.

Here we have D Major with an alternative fingering. You'll notice I used my pinky on the 4th fret of the 3rd string to play the note B instead of the open 2nd string. It allows me to continue that symmetry of the fingers.

This alternate finger pattern for the D Major first position scale uses the B on the fourth fret of the G string rather than the open B string.

This alternate finger pattern for the D Major first position scale uses the B on the fourth fret of the G string rather than the open B string.


A Major

And here we have A Major. 

A Major features three sharps: F#, C#, and G#.

A Major features three sharps: F#, C#, and G#.


E Major

And here we have E Major. You'll notice the finger pattern is exactly the same as A Major. 

E Major features four sharps: F#, C#, G#, and D#.

E Major features four sharps: F#, C#, G#, and D#.


B Major

B Major features five sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, and A#.

B Major features five sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, and A#.

And here we have B Major. You'll notice B Major involved no open strings.


F Major

And here we have F Major.

F Major features one flat: Bb.

F Major features one flat: Bb.

You'll notice that the F Major fingerings did not involve the pinky finger at all. Here is an alternative F Major fingering that uses the pinky and will really help you through speedy passages in the future. 

This alternative fingering uses your pinky, or fourth finger, to fret the D on the 3rd fret of the B string.

This alternative fingering uses your pinky, or fourth finger, to fret the D on the 3rd fret of the B string.

As always, have fun in the woodshed. If you haven't already, click Subscribe and ring the bell so you'll get notifications as soon as we post new content. 

Feel free to leave any questions below or visit us at BeginningGuitarOnline.com, and while you're there, sign up for The Woodshed Newsletter. We'll send you the best guitar instruction content from around the web right to your inbox.