‘Scaling the Heights'

A scale is a sequence of notes either ascending or descending. 

There are two main types of scales, just as there are chords;

• 'Major' a 'happy' sounding scale

• 'Minor' a 'sad' sounding scale

Let's take a look at the Major scale.

C Major Scale 

A --------------------0--2--3-|--3--2--0--------------------||-

E ---------0--1--3------------|-------------3--1--0---------||-

C --0--2-----------------------|-----------------------2--0--||-

G ------------------------------|------------------------------||-

All the other Major scales start on the first finger and follow the same pattern.

Below are the fingers to use, NOT the frets.

A                   1  3  4 |  4  3  1                    ||

E        1  2  4            |             4  2  1         ||

C 1  3                       |                        3  1  ||

G                             |                                ||

You can start anywhere on the C string and use the above finger pattern to make a major scale.

To find out which major scale it is take a look below;

...and now the Minor scale.

C Minor Scale 

A -----------------------2--3--|--3--2-----------------------||-

E ------------1--3--4---------|---------4--3--1-------------||-

C --0--2--3-------------------|--------------------3--2--0--||-

G ------------------------------|------------------------------||-

Scales can make your fingers stronger and faster. They can also help you to understand music theory and structure more.

Either way, a good thing to practise each time you pick up your ukulele.

Some scales we're not interested in...as much!

    © J. Cockshott 2010 : Terms and Conditions