How Do I tell if a scale is minor or major on Guitar

Question

I've been playing guitar for a few months and am learning some scales. I Know the pentatonic (box) scale, but how do I know if it's minor or major? I know the scale is named for what note it starts on, but you can't start on a minor note, so why are certain scales minor, and how do I tell? There are only major, sharp and flat notes, not minor. I just don't get it. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi Jim

The scale is not named minor because of the starting note. The 3rd note of any major scale, if you play it 1/2 tone lower, (1 fret lower) it will give you the minor scale of that chord.

Here is a good link for all the scales. Sometimes, it is easier to visualize than explain although, I did explain it correctly. Their are other minor scales such as harmonic and melodic minor.

http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_...

Answer 2

get a teacher

Answer 3

I had this problem on bass, I think I can help.

Count down from the root note, or first note in the scale, (ex: c scale first note is c) start at one and count each note in the scale to seven.

1 is a major

2 is a minor

3 is a minor

4 is a major

5 is a major

6 is a minor

7 is a diminished (diminished notes class with all others)