How To Memorize Major Scales

[V7#5b9]

An Easy System To Memorize Every Major Scale 

For each major scale, memorize the altered notes (sharps or flats) only if they constitute the minority, otherwise memorize the naturals. For example, in the case of B major you would memorize that B and E are natural and that the rest are sharp. Next, simply recite the musical alphabet starting with B and make every note “sharp” except for B and E:
B – C# -D# – E – F# – G# – A#
Memorizing just B and E for the above,  is much easier than having to memorize C#, D#, F# , G# and A#!

Here is a list of the 12 major scales as they appear on the descending (counterclockwise) CIRCLE OF FIFTHS starting with C MAJOR and what to memorize:

C MAJOR: All natural — C D E F G A B

Major Scales With Flats: 

F MAJOR: memorize Bb, the rest are natural — F G A Bb C D E
Bb MAJOR: memorize Bb and Eb, the rest are natural — Bb C D Eb F G A
Eb MAJOR: memorize Eb, Ab and Bb, the rest are natural — Eb F G Ab Bb C D
Ab MAJOR: memorize C, F and G, the rest are flat — Ab Bb C Db Eb F G
Db MAJOR: memorize F and C, the rest are flat — Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C
Gb MAJOR: memorize F, the rest are flat — Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F 

Major Scales With Sharps: 

B MAJOR: memorize B and E, the rest are sharp — B C# D# E F# G# A# 
E MAJOR: memorize E, A and B, the rest are sharp — E F# G# A B C# D# 
A MAJOR: memorize C#, F#, and G#, the rest are natural — A B C# D E F# G# 
D MAJOR: memorize F# and C#, the rest are natural — D E F# G A B C#
G MAJOR: memorize F#, the rest are natural — G A B C D E F#

For the enharmonic scales (C# or Db,  F# or Gb and B or Cb) at the bottom of the Circle of Fifths, memorize:

C# MAJOR: all are sharp — C# D# E# F# G# A# B# 
F# MAJOR: memorize B, the rest are sharp — F# G# A# B C# D# E# 
Cb MAJOR: all are flat - Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb 

[rkl312]

That is very helpful.  I just have a hard time getting into it.  Making pretty sounds on my guitar=heaven.  Memorizing stuff=drudgery.  I know this is a bad outlook and I'm trying to change it and get excited about it.

[K9kaos]

There is also another pattern that can help with the memorization of scales:

If you look at G for example, the sharp is F.  But looking at Gb, the F is the only note not flatted, so it is the opposite. 

Same is true for all of the other sharp vs flat scales (except the C# and Cb).

For F, the B is flat, but F# the B is the only one not sharp.... etc. 

So if you memorize one, the opposite is easy to remember too

Once you see the pattern it is hard to 'not' see it! 

 

 

[Cindy]

8 hours ago, K9kaos said:

There is also another pattern that can help with the memorization of scales:

If you look at G for example, the sharp is F.  But looking at Gb, the F is the only note not flatted, so it is the opposite. 

Same is true for all of the other sharp vs flat scales (except the C# and Cb).

For F, the B is flat, but F# the B is the only one not sharp.... etc. 

So if you memorize one, the opposite is easy to remember too

Once you see the pattern it is hard to 'not' see it! 

 

 

Oh my gosh! You jogged my memory! When I initially read the first post, I completely forgot about Capo's Rule of Seven (Capo was an active member of LMG many years ago). I found the PDF on Mike's site which I uploaded almost 9 years ago! Major brain freeze here because I totally forgot about it!

It really helps with learning the key signatures but should also help people construct scales once they learn the keys with up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. The rest is very easy. 

Capo's Rule of Seven.pdf

[rkl312]

1 hour ago, Cindy said:

Oh my gosh! You jogged my memory! When I initially read the first post, I completely forgot about Capo's Rule of Seven (Capo was an active member of LMG many years ago). I found the PDF on Mike's site which I uploaded almost 9 years ago! Major brain freeze here because I totally forgot about it!

It really helps with learning the key signatures but should also help people construct scales once they learn the keys with up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. The rest is very easy. 

Capo's Rule of Seven.pdf

Thanks for that great gem of information!

[K9kaos]

14 hours ago, Cindy said:

Oh my gosh! You jogged my memory! When I initially read the first post, I completely forgot about Capo's Rule of Seven (Capo was an active member of LMG many years ago). I found the PDF on Mike's site which I uploaded almost 9 years ago! Major brain freeze here because I totally forgot about it!

It really helps with learning the key signatures but should also help people construct scales once they learn the keys with up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. The rest is very easy. 

Capo's Rule of Seven.pdf

I forgot about Capo's Rule!!!! That also helped me greatly in remembering the signatures!!!

 

[bruster]

Cindy, Thank You for this down-lode, just a cursory look has helped my brain, small though it is.  

[Dave White]

The only thing that helps me is sitting with the guitar and practicing, practicing, practicing. I have completed hundreds of worksheets, but they don't help my fingers!

[gotto]

On 1/20/2018 at 6:42 AM, Cindy said:

Oh my gosh! You jogged my memory! When I initially read the first post, I completely forgot about Capo's Rule of Seven (Capo was an active member of LMG many years ago). I found the PDF on Mike's site which I uploaded almost 9 years ago! Major brain freeze here because I totally forgot about it!

It really helps with learning the key signatures but should also help people construct scales once they learn the keys with up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. The rest is very easy. 

Capo's Rule of Seven.pdf

I knew I had this somewhere but couldn't find it. Thanks for the memory reboot

Greg

[Randy120]

Great Tips!

I am doing the three notes on a string exercises in Session 17. Calling out the notes and playing the different scales around the neck is really helping. I am getting closer to knowing where are all the notes on the neck. I never would have imagined that. 

[randomguy]

Here's a way to remember the major scale music theory of WWH WWWH

WORLD WILDLIFE HABITAT = W W H then

World Wide Web Hosting = W W W H

what you get is World Wildlife Habitat's World Wide Web Hosting

Major Scale Formula 

W W H W W W H

acronym

Would you think this is an easier way to internalize scales?

[randomguy]

The 11 C notes on all strings 20 fretted guitars. This can be helpful in finding the C scale across the fretboard.  It's a tip and trick that I just learned.  I can then play the scale up and down by listening to notes and practicing the scale.  I hope this is helpful.

Bottom strings of the guitar

String # 1 High E: C notes = frets 8 and 20
String # 2 B: C notes = frets 1 and 13
String# 3 G: C notes = 5 and 17
String #4 D : C note = frets 10
String #5 A: C notes = frets 3 and 15
String #6: Lo E: frets 8 and 20

Top strings of the guitar

Edited July 21, 2024 by randomguy