One Scale To Rule Them All (answers)
Downloads
This Video (MP4)Mac users should use the MP4 version to download the video
- This Video (WMV)
Windows users should use the WMV version to download this video.
Mac users should use the MP4 version to download the video
Windows users should use the WMV version to download this video.
56 Comments
Lloyd
October 10, 2014Ahhh…C# major??? Lesson3 exercise. I don’t get this one
Mike Barnes
October 23, 2014Lloyd, just one fret up from every note in the C major scale on the fret board.
I’ve been playing/reading music for many years and have never seen anything written in C#. always see it as Db.
you could just capo at first fret and play the key of C.
ACE
February 9, 2019I KNOW HOW HARD YOU WORKED ON THIS, BUT AFTER PLAYING FOR 53 YEARS AND PLAYING PROFESSIONALY, I GET YOUR STEPS AND I KNOW WHERE THE NOTES ARE ON THE FRET BOARD.
THESE LESSION JUST DON’T DO MUCH FOR ME. I HAVE TRIED MUSIC THERORY MANY TIMES ALL I NEEDI I THE CHORDS, OR TO LISTEN TO A SONG. DOES NOT MATTER WHERE THE NOTES ARE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOUR TEACHING. THANKS GRIFF !
I SIT AND LISTEN, TO THIS, .ALL IT DOSE IS CONFUSE ME. I GET WHAT YOUR DOING, BUT I’M TO OLD NOW TO CHANGE MY HABITS. IF I WAS A BAD GUITAR PLAYER, I WOULD NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO STUDIO WORK UNDER THE UNION !
Ian Richardson
September 28, 2020Hi Ace…like the monica..
I’m 63 and learned my theory..eventually…over time.
Back in the day i think most of us learned without the theory..many still do.
Age itself isn’t a barrier, but if you’ve done things the way you have for so long and you know what you’re doing, you can hear a song, hear the chords or whatever and play it..or work out a solo or a new chord then in effect you are using the theory, you’re playing it.
If you want to write a song in say G and you know which chords go with that G…theory.
Chances are you know it,or a lot of it, without “knowing” it if you see what I mean.
There’s a guy on youtube, Dave Simpson, he says he doesn’t know any theory much..but he’s one hell of a guitar player.
Chris Harrison
May 19, 2022You know the theory already…except you know it in a different, an informal language that you could call “hear/feel/play.” You are fluent in hear/feel/play and in English, but formal theory is like another language, say German or Chinese. And it’s a real pain to learn languages when we’re not kids any more. The funny thing is, no one can teach you hear/feel/play. They can teach you English…or German or theory…but only you can teach you hear/feel/play.
Harold
March 26, 2019Great lesson. I was confused when I saw the C: What am I missing: Does anyone know why that is at the beginning of each line except for the last two lines?
Bill333
October 10, 2014Hi Griff, & Happy Birthday to you !!!
I understand all of this pretty well as to how u explained it. But one thing I got a little confused with was in your last video #3, One of the rules of building a scale, I think it was that there isn’t, or very rarely is- double sharps or flats……but in an Emaj, Bmaj & in other instances, I see a sharp note followed by a sharp note or flat followed by flat at a 1/2 or whole step up.
Maybe I misunderstood or misinterpreted that element….although I went back & rematches the video. Can u…..or someone out there explain what I’m miscomprehending ???
Ian Richardson
September 28, 2020Hi Bill.
Yup this can cause confusion. If I’m understanding your question properly..
If you follow the WWHWWWH from any note, or key. Strange things can seem to happen.
Basically you have 12 notes,7 naturals A B C D E F G…and 5 semi tones..with the semi tones A# is the same note as Bb..it’s sharp if you play it after A but flat if it comes after B..
C#/Db and so on.
In a scale you can’t have say A and A# because the next note is going to be a C or a C# for instance..so you’ve skipped B.
So you’d have A followed by Bb not A# so we have a B note even though they are the same note.
This is why they have two names..They are enharmonic..the same.
Also if you notice Gb…then a W step to Ab..NOT G#. Then a W step gives us Bb..
Now we need a h step..to B. But we cannot have another B and there is no semi tone between B and C…So we have to call C…Cb…which is the same note as B…and next up Db
We can’t go Bb B Db and skip over C.
So even though there is no Cb note between B and C…. as it comes a half step after C it is in effect a Cb. C could be seen as a C#..And if required E can be Fb…or F could be E# ..
My understanding as to why we have B to C and E to F with no semi tone between is that frequency wise they’d be the same note..so you’d have B C and then C again..or near enough. Or half way between those two there isn’t a semi tone because the two notes are too close together..
Perhaps Griff has a better explanation to the one I was given many years ago.
So when people see a scale like this with say a Cb it can be very confusing..it was to me the first time I came across it.
In a scale like this with a lot of flats or sharps it’s easy to go wrong somewhere..and get a wrong note.
Double flats and sharps is different…you double it. In effect you sharpen or flatten by a whole step..two flats or two sharps…In written music a double sharp is usually notated as x and a double flat bb. There’s more to that of course.
Hope that helps a bit.
Chris Harrison
May 19, 2022I’m pretty sure there is no such note as C b, just as there is no such note as B #. Just sayin’…
Chris Harrison
May 19, 2022Hey, Bill –
I think I understand where you got off track. “No double sharps” and “no double flats” means that there is no such thing as a NOTE with two flats or sharps, i.e. B bb or C ##. As you pointed out, here are plenty of SCALES where one flat note follows another.
I totally understand how you got there and I’m glad I’m not the only who thinks that way LOL
Gary
October 10, 2014When he says “double” sharps or flats he is not talking about 2 in a row he is talking about ## or bb.
Luis prieto
October 10, 2014I really liked the way you explain about 2 whole steps 1 half step 3 whole steps1 half step
Thank you
P.s. how do I use these scales in a song
mark
October 12, 2014Hey I like that virtual sub dominated H note….
Chris
March 10, 2018Don’t you mean “i” double flat?
Jeff Darling
October 12, 2014Happy Birthday. I hope you did something to remember.
Tom
October 12, 2014I think you are mistaken. The download is video 3 and not 4. Where is video 4?
Tom
October 12, 2014Still not correct. I downloaded the MP4 and it is Video #3
Mike Barnes
October 23, 2014I like your lessons a lot! This was pretty basic though.
Easy pattern of 2, 1/2; 3, 1/2 pretty much covers major scales.
Eric S.
November 7, 2014Griff,
In the F Major scale, why did you notate Bb instead of A# when you move a half step from A? Can it be either, or is a reason you go with the flat instead of the sharp?
Another Eric S
July 18, 2020In a previous lesson we learned that we dont use 2 of the same letter in a scale – sooo…since we used A as a full step above G we need to use Bb rather than A# as the 1/2 srep above A – it’s the same note by a different (Grifferent 🙂 name!
Ken
January 24, 2021Perhaps I can make sense out of this. A# and Bflat are not the same note. Then are the same tone…..or frequency. Depending on the key the tone has a name appropriate to the key being played in.
Paul
March 4, 2016Again Griff; I was under the impression that B to C & E to F were natural 1/2 steps, therefor there shouldn’t be anything in between. How do we have a Cb and a Eb???
Chris Harrison
May 19, 2022B-C and E-F are natural half steps, no accidentals between B-C or E-F, i.e. there is no Cb. However, there is an accidental between C and E – it’s called C# or Eb.
Mark a Wales uk
March 4, 2016Cheers Griff
But I’ve got a some questions
in the key of F# how do we have E#
In the key of C# how do we have E# plus B#
In the key of Gb how do we have a Cb
I thought that there was no sharps or flats between B and C and E and F
Maynard E
September 19, 2016Mark a Wales uk
In my reply to Joe, yesterday, I mentioned that everything works nicely from C to B Major (1-5 sharps), and from C to Db Major (1-5 flats). Once you get into 6 and 7 sharps or flats; the “Rule” that every note must be a different letter, forces us to re-name notes differently and it can be confusing. If you have a keyboard, it will really help with this exercise. So… for this exercise an E# is really an F, but it is written as an E# to explain the WWHWWWH (Whole and Half step rule) for Major scales. Here are examples:
F# Major (6 sharps) F is written as an E#
C# Major (7 sharps) F is written as an E#, and C is written as a B#
Gb Major (6 flats) B is written as a Cb
Cb Major (7 flats) B is written as a Cb, and E is written as a Fb (not included on the exercise)
The good news, at least for those who have to read music, is that most songs that we play don’t go above 5 sharps or 5 flats. If they do, then you will have to learn a new scale. Hope this helps.
Big Phil
March 22, 2016In F#,scale, 7th note F is same as E#
In C# scale, 3rd note F is same as E#, also 7th note C same as B#
In Gb Major scale, 4th note B same as Cb
In each case following rule 1 of “none left out” and “none duplicated” and you will come up with the indicated solutions.
Tom Butterworth
May 25, 2016Starting on any note, if you play a 2,2,1,2,2,2,1 spacing, you are playing the major scale around that particular note.
RPaq
September 18, 2016I have dabbled in music for many years, was a Barbershopper for several years, even performing as assistant director. I always struggle with understanding key notation, especially trying to convey it to others in the barbershop chorus.
I feel this has finally clarified key notation for me in a way that I can remember it, as well as describe it to others.
Gado
March 10, 2018Excellent lesson. How do I put this on the guitar?
Chris
March 10, 2018I’m sharing this with my son and grandson. I reckon it’ll save them decades!!
Thanks GH.
Eel1948
March 10, 2018This discussion should include the circle of 5ths and 4ths, it’s time!
Louis Ogden
March 10, 2018Happy birthday Griff.
Just one question about the 4th one (F).
I said the following: F G A A# C D E F while you said: F G A Bb C D E F. Are both correct or is there a reason for the Bb? Had no trouble with the others; if the scale started with a sharp, I continued using sharps and vice versa. Great lesson again, buddy. No doubt in my mind that you are the best teacher on-line. Your explanations are clear and understandable. Thanks, my friend!
Louis Ogden
March 10, 2018Woops, just realized that this question was covered more succinctly by Eric S. above
Louis Ogden
March 10, 2018Dang,
It just dawned on me – no repeating of the same letter. Have ya ever felt stupid?
Andrew Fox
March 11, 2018I noticed in your last example of the Ab scale, you noted Cb instead of B. Why? I realize they are the same note, but I didn’t think it was ever called Cb. Wouldn’t it be the same for Fb. Wouldn’t that just be an E?
Paul Barber
March 12, 2018Good lesson on scales
But I don’t know why music has B# or E#
Why don’t they write C and F ?
Also Db scale is C# scale. Etc
Deborah White
July 25, 2018I cannot believe there is an Eb after all. I argued forever with somebody over that saying it doesn’t exist and here this is saying it does.
Cliff
February 8, 2019Deb- take a look at ‘the circle of 5ths’ you’ll see all the scales of all 12 tones.
Just remember that each scale use each of the “7 naturals” only once.
Jim Picanco
December 20, 2018Love to learn
Cliff
February 8, 2019It seems some are confused by “naturals” C and F notes being written as # or b.
To know that and understand it is one thing, to read staff written music, not tabulation, is where it becomes necessary to know the intervals.
Anthony
August 27, 2019Your videos have stopped working on my ipad.????
tom farkas
March 19, 2020Griff’ Do you get a funny look from your keyboard player when you say you’re going to do a song in E sharp or F flat? I know from your lesson 3 you show both notes and they are on the guitar neck but I just can’t find either on a keyboard.You gotta be driving him crazy looking for the root note of the chord.
Jon Niemann
March 24, 2020I’m retired and play some by ear. During this “shelter in place” for us old folks, I’m now spending an hour each day working on your exercises, reading notes, and memorizing the notes of each string on the guitar. Thanks so much for the music theory lessons!
rich cibelli
May 9, 2020Thanks Griff, Lessons like this one are awesome. !
Alexander
May 14, 2020I’m like Harold why is there a C on every line except for the last two?
Alexander
Alexander
May 14, 2020I just changed all the C’s to the scale that is asked to create the Major scale.
Alexander
Peter Faso Jr
July 30, 2020Happy Birthday Griff! You are a heck of a guy, and a really great musician! Don’t drink too much unless you want to get sick!
Michael
September 12, 2020I think an explanation about E# and B# would have been nice in the video before this one for us beginners.
Chris Oxley
October 29, 2020Very understandable and useful. Thank you very much, Griff
Ken Orlob
April 21, 2021In the key of F# why do you call the 7th note E# rather than F?
Graham Spicer
March 29, 2022Can anyone help with how to build a MINOR SCALE from first principals. I know you can just start from the 6 note of the Major Scale as the relative minor and it gives the minor scale. But I tried to build it from first principals and got in a bit of a mess. Any help much appreciated.
Thank you.
Chris Harrison
May 19, 2022There are three primary minor scales, natural, melodic and harmonic. Using the terminology in this lesson and in the comments above, the three minor scales are built
Natural Minor: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Melodic Minor: W-H-W-W-W-W-H
Harmonic Minor: W-H-W-W-H-W-H
Just remember, a major scale’s relative minor scale has the exact same notes, but in a different order.
Chris Harrison
May 19, 2022…notice that the first 4 intervals are always the same in any minor scale. It’s the last three that switch it up…
Chris Harrison
May 19, 2022There are three primary minor scales, natural, melodic and harmonic. Using the terminology in this lesson and in the comments above, the three minor scales are built
Natural Minor: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Melodic Minor: W-H-W-W-W-W-H
Harmonic Minor: W-H-W-W-H-W-H
Just remember, a major scale’s relative minor scale has the exact same notes, but in a different order.
jack
January 25, 2023I played guitar for 56 year, for fun.
The best way I can explain music is a language.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
starts C d e F G a b C go look for how to harmonize C major
all this alphabets comes. To build harmony. Only way I believe you can learn, by numbering the alphabets. Major. Minor, dim.
We all know 1,3,5,7 makes major scale, however.
you must learn where are all the C in your board.
And find all the major, minor, triads, and inversion and master it.
YOU MUST LEARN THIS, C PERFECTLY 100% in your fretboard.
Wanes you learn C the rest all the keys are the same just move from C, G, D, A ext
you can use same as C form all the keys in your board.
Music language. Is history gave ass to play 7 MODE. Are C major.
Your language starts with 1 to 8 notes
start analyzing as your feeling from root to next tones as your ear hear it?
There is no magic scale or scales.?
Thank you, this is only my opinion.
Joan
March 5, 2023I was confused with the C# and Gb scales.
If there is a half step between E and F, does E# become the enharmonic equivalent of F?
If I follow your original model, there is no E#.
Same question applies to the Gb scale.