The A-Major Scale
The next scale we’ll build is the A major scale. The tonic will be A, so we’ll write out all the notes in the octave starting from A.
Apply the major scale pattern of intervals:
- Tonic is A
- Whole tone – B
- Whole tone – C#
- Half tone – D
- Whole tone – E
- Whole tone – F#
- another Whole tone – G#
- Half tone – A
By starting on the tonic (A) and applying the pattern for the major scale, we find that the A major scale has three sharps – the third is C#, the sixth is F#, and the seventh is G#. Those named notes were chosen because we have to use all letters of the musical alphabet.
Here’s what it looks like.
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
A B C# D E F# G# A
Let’s check our rules.
It’s a major scale in the key of A, so the first note (tonic) is A. Every letter is used. They’re in alphabetical order and each one is only used in one form. The eighth is the same as the tonic, only an octave higher.
It meets all our rules.
Let’s look at the fret spacing used to build the A major scale on the mandolin. We’ll use the second string because it’s tuned to A. So, the open string will give us our Tonic (A). The tonic and the octave are colored red in the diagram.
Again!
Now, stop here for a moment, and try building an F major scale on your own. When you’re finished, move on to the next chapter to check your work.
F-Major Scale
The F-Major Scale is just a little bit different because the fourth is flat, but if you follow all three rules for a major scale, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Here’s what the octave looks like starting from F.
So let’s use our major scale pattern:
W – W – H – W – W – W – H
The tonic is F. Then we go up a whole step to G. Another whole step takes us to the third, which is an A.
Now we have to move up a half step to the fourth (IV). Our choices are A# or Bb. The two notes are enharmonic. In other words, they’re the same note. Which one will we use?
Every letter of the musical alphabet is to be used in order. “A” was just used, so the logical choice will be the Bb. Also, each letter can only be used once, and we’ve already used an A, so the A# is out.
So Bb it is!
After the Bb (IV), we go a whole step up to the fifth – C.
Another whole step to the sixth – D.
Another whole step up to the seventh – E.
Then a half step up to the eighth, or octave – F.
That completes our major scale pattern.
Here’s the F-Major scale.
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
F G A Bb C D E F
Let’s check our rules
It’s a major scale in the key of F, so the first note (tonic) is F.
Each letter is used in alphabetical order and each one appears only once. The eighth is the same as the tonic, only an octave higher.
– Check! We’ve followed the rules!
We don’t have a string on the mandolin tuned to F, so let’s use the first string to look at the F major scale. It’s tuned to E, so we have to place our finger on the first fret to get the Tonic (F). From there, the pattern remains the same – 2 frets, 2 frets, 1 fret, 2 frets, 2 frets, 2 frets, 1 fret. (221-2221).
By now you should be getting the idea. You should be able to apply this pattern to build a major scale in any key.
But, read the next chapter before you give it a try! You might find some bumps in the road.
On the next page, you may find out that some folks just don’t want to play by the rules!
