Notes of the Major Scale.

The order of tones and semi tones in a Major scale is as follows:
Tone, Tone, Semitone, Tone, Tone, Tone, Semitone.

For example:
The C major scale consists of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Remember that there is no such note as B#/Cb and that there is no E#/Fb, and the order of tones and semitones will start to make some sense.
The notes C & D, D & E, F & G, G & A, A & B are one (full) tone apart.
The notes B & C, and E & F are one semi tone apart.

It is not especially important to remember this formula, as the same finger pattern can be used at different positions on the fretboard to accommodate different keys.

The finger pattern for the major scale is as follows;

In this examples we are playing the F# major scale, starting at the 3rd fret of the 6th (low E) string. The note marked in red shows the beginning for the relative minor scale pattern, in this case D# minor. It would have been better if I'd made it G major / E minor, but I needed the graphic to fit into the site layout!

Don't forget to use the economy picking technique when practicing this scale!

Black Notes: These positions should be fretted with the first finger.
Blue Notes: These positions should be fretted with the second finger.
Green Notes: These positions should be fretted with the third finger.
White Notes: These positions should be fretted with the fourth finger.