The Major/Minor Scale Lesson Pack bundle gives you both the major and minor scale lesson packs. Playing any song requires a mastery of scales, but the major and minor scales are the most common. Learn those first, and you’ll be able to play almost any song. In this bundle you’ll get:
- 2 booklets are being created to help you learn more about scales and how they work. You’ll have a better understanding overall with these books.
- 2 practice books to help you play the major and minor scales on any sized neck and apply them to chord progressions.
- This course has audio examples to show you how to play exercises with backing chords. This will help you master the major and minor scales musically.
- Here is a nicely formatted PDF version of both the major and minor scale lessons.
Applying the Guitar Number System to Chord Progressions
Sometimes, you stumble upon a concept that transforms your knowledge of the guitar fretboard. One of those concepts is learning how to apply the guitar number system for chord progressions.
The guitar number system allows you to refer to chords using numbers instead of their names. Each degree of a scale is used to build chords, and each number represents that degree.
It is super easy to transpose chords to another key by playing by number. If you know how to identify the relationships of chords by numbers on the fretboard, you don’t have to know every chord by name.
It is also useful when applying chord function to chord progressions.
Let’s first look at the numbering of the chords in a key. Then, let’s take a look how these chords can be applied on the fretboard.
Guitar Number System
Chords for a key come from the scale. You’re going to use the key of A major in this lesson. In the table below, you can see all of the scale degrees and chords that are built from the major A scale.
| Key of A | ||||||
| I | Ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
| A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m | G#° |
The numbers above the chords show which scale degree they are based off of. The root indicates the 1, the third or major 3 is 3 and so on.”
When it comes to describing the quality of a chord, uppercase numerals stand for major chords while lowercase ones signify minor chords. The 7th chord is diminished, which is represented with °.
Like the major scale, these qualities remain the same in a major key signature. The one chord will always be major, the two chord minor, and so on.
To play the chords from this chord table list, an individual would need to say “play a I-IV-V in A” for example:
- I = A major
- IV = D major
- V = E major
A chord progression of I – vi – iii – IV would be:
- I = A
- vi = F#m
- iii = C#m
- IV = D
Some chords are built from a specific note that is the 3rd or 7th for example, which will be noted by a lower case number. The type of chord is also determined by what’s known as “quality”. The quality can be either uppercase or lowercase (1-5) and this corresponds to the duration of that chord as well.
Transpose Keys
You can adapt this to any key you like. The chord progression will change automatically if you just change the first chords. For example, if your first chord is C major and you want to move up a key, the next chord will be C major too. Likewise, if you wanted to transpose to G major (etc).
As you can see, this concept is pretty basic. How do we apply this to the guitar fretboard?
Applying the Chord Number System to the Fretboard
Learning the guitar chord number system is the right way to go, if you want to improve your knowledge about the fretboard. The chords tab can be really useful for that, as well. I don’t usually oversell anything in relation to learning the guitar, but this product can literally open up doors to understanding it better.
We’ll use the CAGED system to make understanding these chords easier.
Revisiting the CAGED System
If you know the CAGED guitar system, you know could map all chords back to 5 basic chord shapes.
A really important thing to know is where the CAGED chords are. It makes it a lot easier to identify chord positions and their relation between the other chords used.
Using the CAGED Shapes to Form Chord Positions
CAGED shows that all chord shapes are interconnected. The chord C shapes connect to the A shapes, and the A shapes connect to the G shapes.
We can use every chord shape to create a position. This is similar to how we have scales. Each chord shape has a related shape. We can see that the A major scale is formed by the E form A chord root on the 5th fret.
Chords are formed from scales. We can form chords in A major using the notes of the scale.
Let’s look at an example for the A major chord with the E form major chord shape.
E From Position
This is a complete major scale. It highlights the root, 2nd to 3rd, 4th, 5, 5th, and 6th degrees. Each degree represents the root note of the chord for that degree.
Note: For simplicity, the 7th degree has been intentionally left out. This chord is dissonant and does not stand alone well. It is rarely used as much as other chords.
These are the chord forms that result from this:
| Key of A | ||||||
| Number | I | Ii | iii | IV | V | vi |
| Chord Name | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m |
| CAGED Form | E Form | Gm Form | Am Form | A Form | C Form | Dm Form |
This information can be used to map each chord. It will allow us to create a relationship between one chord and all other chords in the key.
This is why it is important. The E shape CAGED chord will be the only chord. If the E shape chord is in its one position, the C form chord will be the fifth chord.
The relationship between chord positions and scale patterns is the same, regardless of the key.
If you play a I-IV – V progression in G’s key, the chords will still be in the same place relative to one another if the key changes to C, D, or another key.
Chord Mapping for the Remaining CAGED Shapes
Let’s take a look at all the CAGED positions remaining and find the relative chord shapes.
D From Position
The E form chord was used in the first example. Let’s now look at the D form. The D form derives its name from position 2 on the major scale.
The other diatonic chords can be found when the D form CAGED chord is in play:
| Key of A | ||||||
| Number | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi |
| Chord Name | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m |
| CAGED Form | D Form | Em Form | Gm Form | G Form | A Form | Cm Form |
C Form Position
The shapes continue to repeat with the C shape starting from the D shape CAGED shape after the D shape. From position 3, the major scale, comes the C form chord.
These chord forms are derived from the position of C shape:
| Key of A | ||||||
| Number | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi |
| Chord Name | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m |
| CAGED Form | C Form | Dm Form | Em Form | E Form | G Form | Am Form |
A Form Position
We will use the A form position to place our root chord (A Major) in its original position as an open chord. We need to adjust the forms slightly because we don’t have enough space at the neck to accommodate the scale notes in their normal positions.
Position 4 on the major scale would be the starting point for the scale shape of the A form position.
Here are the chord forms to the remaining diatonic chords.
| Key of A | ||||||
| Number | I | ii | Iii | IV | V | vi |
| Chord Name | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m |
| CAGED Form | A Form | Am Form | Cm Form | D Form | E Form | Em Form |
The iii chord can be seen as an inverted chord, with the?3 at the root. It could also be played with the root at the 4th fret on the 5th string. This way, the chord can be used in both the current position and the next position (the G form position for one chord).
G From Position
The G form position is the last position created by the CAGED chord forms. This position is based upon the 5th position on the major scale.
The remaining chord forms in the G form position are:
| Key of A | ||||||
| Number | I | ii | Iii | IV | V | vi |
| Chord Name | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m |
| CAGED Form | G Form | Am Form | Cm Form | C Form | D Form | Em Form |
Mapping Minor Keys
These examples will work for any major key. Minor keys have the same relative chord shapes, but we must re-number them. Keep in mind that every major key has a relative minor key, which contains the same chords.
The relative minor key can be found at the 6th degree on the major scale. F#m would be the relative minor for A major.
The relative minor key chord numbers are obtained by starting with the 6th degree in the major key and renumbering that chord as the one chord. The 7th degree becomes the two chord. The 1st degree becomes the 3rd..
| Re-numbering for Minor Keys | |||||||
| Major Key | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
| Minor Key | i | ii° | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
It is important to remember that you are using the same chords, and that the chord forms for each position will remain the same. The only variation is the way that the chords are numbered.
Chord Progressions with the Guitar Number System
You need to be able apply the guitar number system to chord progressions in order to take advantage of it. This is the fastest way to memorize it and to master transposing keys.
The following examples show how to take different chord progressions and apply the guitarist number system to the CAGED-system-generated chord positions.
There are many approaches, but I prefer to start by going position by position. This way you don’t have to try to learn everything at once.
Instead of playing chord progressions in one key, I recommend that you use the same position across multiple keys. This strengthens the connection between chords in a particular position and not the position on the neck.
Once you are comfortable in each position, you can begin to take the progression and use it in multiple positions instead of limiting yourself to one.
You will quickly discover that some chord positions are better when paired with others, depending on the progression. This is an excellent opportunity to experiment with minor and major triads to determine which voicings work best.
Chord Progression Exercises
The chord diagrams are provided in the first two examples to guide you through the progression’s chord forms. If you are unable to recognize the shapes immediately, it is a good idea to practice finding the chord forms by yourself.
These progressions should be practiced in all positions, not just in the one shown. It’s important to transpose this progression to other keys, as it is possible to not associate the chords with one place on your neck.
You are free to play with the rhythm in any way you wish. It is important to learn the chord forms for each position.
Chord Progression 1 : I – IV – V
The most fundamental progression is built from the chords I-IV-V, which contains the foundations of blues and is used in so many other styles. It’s an important practice to learn this progression.
Key of A Major, Position 1
In position 1, the root chord takes on the E form of CAGED and is derived from the first position of the major scale.
Key of A Major, Position 3
Instead of moving upwards by a semitone to the second position and using the D form chord, we can jump up a whole tone to 3rd position and use the C form root chord.
Key of G Major, Position 2
In this example we’re going to use position 2 of the major scale, also called the D form root chord.
More Chord Progressions to Play by Number
Play through the following chord progressions with the same concept. Try to explore different speeds and positions for each. To change keys just switch the root chord in question.
As before, experiment with the rhythm until you find something that suits your style.
- I – V – vi – IV
- I – iii – vi – IV
- I – iii – ii – V
- I – V – IV – vi – V
You can also apply this idea to any other songs or chord patterns you already know.
Conclusion
The guitar fingering number system is a big deal and knowing it lets you take control of the fretboard and really improve your playing. Learning to write chord progressions is really helpful, not only because it enables you to better “read” what other musicians are playing, but it’s also very useful in situations when you must switch progressions on the fly. Spend some time getting good at this skill and you won’t regret it.
FAQ for Lesson Pack Bundle Major & Minor Scale
What is a major scale?
A major scale is a musical scale with a pattern of whole and half steps. It’s the most common scale in Western music, used to create melodies and chords.
What is a minor scale?
A minor scale is a musical scale with a tonal center of A. In music theory, it can also be called the natural minor.
What is a package of lessons that includes major and minor scales?
A lesson pack bundle is a collection of lessons that are grouped together. This might be due to a common topic or similar skill level. The idea behind this is that it can save teachers time when planning their lessons and students time when searching for what they need.
The major scale is the most popular one in Western music and has eight notes per octave, as opposed to the minor scale which has seven notes.
The major scale was invented by Guido d’Arezzo in the 11th century and was based on the natural overtone series, which he observed from studying the sound of bells.
Which music scales are the easiest to learn?
The major scale is the easiest to learn and it is the most commonly used in Western music.
The major scale is a diatonic scale, meaning that it consists of seven different notes. The major scale has two forms, the natural form and the harmonic form.
The natural form of the major scale includes seven notes that are spaced at equal distances apart.
While the harmonic form of the major scale includes seven notes, but they are not all spaced equally apart. This can create a more dissonant sound.
How do I identify the notes in a scale?
Notes are the individual sounds that make up a scale. There are 12 notes in the major scale and 7 notes in the minor scale.
The easiest way to identify the notes in a scale is by using a piano. You can also use an online tool or program to help you identify them.
If you have a piano, then all you need to do is play each note on the keyboard until you find it. If it’s difficult to hear, then try playing it with another note (if it’s in the major scale) or with another key (if it’s in the minor scale). When you’re done, your list should look something like this: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
How do I use scales to create melodies and song accompaniments?
Scales are a series of notes that follow a pattern. They are used in many different aspects of music and can be used to create melodies, chord progressions and accompaniments.
Scales are a way of organizing and classifying musical notes. Scales can be built on all twelve notes of an octave, or they can be built on a subset of those notes.
There are many ways to create melodies and song accompaniments with scales. The first and most common is by following the pattern of the scale. For example, if you pick C major as your scale, you would play the C note followed by an ascending series of seven more C notes (C D E F G A B) before descending back down in order to create a melody.
Another way is to use modes. Modes are different versions of the same scale that have a different pattern for how they ascend and descend from one note to the next.
What is the goal of lesson pack bundle major and minor scale?
The goal of a lesson pack bundle major and minor scale is to provide students with a variety of courses that they can take. The major scale contains the more popular courses that students are most likely going to take. The minor scale contains less popular courses that students might be interested in.
How many of lesson pack bundle major and minor scale included?
The bundle includes 6 major and minor scales.
Who designed of lesson pack bundle major and minor scale?
The lesson pack bundle major and minor scale was designed by a group of music teachers. They were looking for a way to make their lessons more interactive and engaging. The bundle includes all the scales that are used in the major and minor keys.
How long will it take me to learn all of lesson pack bundle major and minor scale?
The length of time it will take to learn all of the major and minor scales depends on how long you are willing to dedicate to learning.
If you want to learn them quickly, then you should dedicate about 10-15 minutes a day for about two weeks. If you want to take your time and do it over a longer period of time, then it may take up to three months or more.