Intervals and Scales

An interval is the tonal distance between two notes. This distance is measured in steps. These intervals have specific names. For instance, the interval between C and E is called a major third. The distance between these notes is two whole steps. When this interval is translated to the guitar these notes are four frets apart. Each fret equals a half step.

The Major Scale
The diagram to the right shows the notes of the C Major scale and the step distances between them. In this diagram, below the C Major scale is the G Major scale showing you the frets those notes occur on as if they were played on the 3rd string (G string). You will see that the relative distance between the notes is the same. The only difference is that the G Major scale starts on G and C, or course, starts on C.

The Minor Scale
Not all scales are alike. When we look at the Natural Minor scale we see that the notes are spaced differently. There are many different scales with different spacings between their notes. However, the major and minor scales are by far the most common ones you will encounter.

Every note can be measured to every other note using intervals. These two diagrams above show the intervals from the first note of the scale. However, the same measures would apply if we were describing the interval between D and A in any scale. This distance is seven half-steps (three-and-half whole steps). That equals a perfect fifth.

interval names chart

The diagram below shows major scales that can be played on each string beginning in the open position. It also shows the interval distance each note is from the first note of the scale. The interval distance from one fret to another is a half step and is called a minor second (b2nd). The frets represent half steps and should not be confused with the interval itself. That means that on the G string the note D is on the seventh fret but its interval is called a fifth (5th).

The interval names are based on a note’s position as compared to the major scale. That is, the fourth note of the major scale is called a perfect fourth (4th). The seventh note of the scale is called a major seventh (7th). A major third (3rd) interval is the third note of the scale.

interval and scales on neck

The Diatonic Yardstick: Scale Notes
The major scale and its intervals are what all other scales and modes are measured against to determine the interval between their roots and other notes. In the diagram below we see the C Major scale compared to the A Aeolian mode (also know as Natural Minor scale). As compared to the major scale, the 3rd, 6th, and 7th notes of the mode are flatted.Though the A Aeolian mode shares all of the same note as the C Major scale, when you measure the distance between the notes using the Major scale as your ruler, you see their differences.

scale comparison C to A

The generic name for the major scale is Diatonic scale. Calling it the diatonic scale allow us to refer to the structure of the major scale without having to refer to its first note. The Diatonic scale pattern is what all other modes, scales, and chords are compared against. If a note in a scale is three whole steps distant from the root, that interval is called a diminished fifth (often a flatted fifth) because it is a half-step shorter than the perfect fifth of the Major scale.

scale comparison C to B Locrian

The above diagram shows how C Major and B Major scale have the same spacing between notes even though the notes are different. The B Locrian mode, though it has the same notes as C Major, has notes spaced at different intervals relative to the Major scale.

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EXERCISE #2: Songs on Strings
In the first exercise you played scales on the strings whose first notes were on the open strings. In this exercise you learn the notes of the fretboard by playing actual songs. Here are some songs that will help you learn. Above the lyrics are the frets that correspond to the melody note. Use the fret number to locate the note on the fretboard as you play the song on each string.

natural notes on the neck

Songs on the Fretboard

The following songs are designed to help you become familiar with the notes and the intervals on the neck. It's best to practice on one string at a time. Remember, the idea here is to learn the notes on the fretboard not to be a hot blues-rocker. That will come later when you know the notes.

happy birthday on neck

house on neck

rainbow on neck

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