C Major Guitar Scale

The C Major guitar scale in first position is considered a beginner's scale, and is a vital one to know. As with all scales, memorize it (so you can 'forget' it later).

We suggest that first you play the scale 'academically.' This means start on the lowest root, play to the highest note, play to the lowest note, then back to the root. See the tablature below.

After getting your alternate picking (down-up) set & your fretting is solid, then use the audio file to solo (improvise) with the scale as you may have done with E minor pentatonic. When you do this, you are studying the way the tones interact with the chords (tone studies). Focus on what you hear - listen to how tones you choose create reinforcement or tension within a given chord (a harmonic moment).

Keep in mind that the key to playing a scale well is to be one step ahead. This means as you play a tone (previously planned), you are planning the next tone - in the picking and fretting hand.

3 minute mp3 file, with the first 2+ minutes playing C-G-F-G, and the last minute sounding F-C-Dm-C. 5.7 MB mp3 download - click to open in new window. Right click to save file.

C Major Scale in a Frame

C major in Tablature (Academically)

You should also practice playing chord scales. Here's a chart for the C Major chord scale. We recommend that you record this chord scale, and improvise to it. If you need fingerings for the chords, take a look at the Chords in C lesson. Or, convert them all to 7th chords (in C).

C Major Chord Scale

E minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale