Navigating the C Major Scale

Called the "learning scale" for a reason. The major scale is a great scale for learning how music and chords work. It’s a core scale from which a majority of your core, essential scales can be derived. There are 15 major scales.

Essential C Major scale patterns for ukulele. Learning scales typically starts with learning a position or pattern by shape. For a lot of players that‘s where it stops. With the many possible shapes between chords and scales to learn - there has to be a better way - There is!!!

Traditionally, a "Tetrachord" is a series of four tones filling in the interval of a perfect fourth. In modern usage a tetrachord is any four-note segment of a scale or tone row including the augmented fourth (+4). The term tetrachord derives from ancient Greek music theory, it literally means four strings.

Learn the recognize the key signature for C Major and A Minor. Learn their corresponding Major and Natural Minor scales with basic ukulele chords for each scale. Sometimes called the learning key, the key of C Major is one of the easiest keys to memorize and begin using.

Whether it’s connecting licks, riffs, scale positions, arpeggios, sequences or melodies – navigating the fingerboard and connecting the various positions - it’s all about using sound fingering principles. I’ve adapted Chuck Anderson's, The Six Secrets of Guitar Fingering to the ukulele in my book The Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering. It’s from these six fingering principles that connecting positions and navigating the multitude of possible pathways on the ukulele can become second nature.

The Ionian scale is a major scale more commonly known by its traditional name - Major and one of six essential scales for ALL ukulele players. One octave scale fingering solutions for strings four and three and any finger with the Mixolydian scale chords are covered in all keys. Sample chord progressions for practice are included. Tunings: C with low or high G - (GCEA or gCEA). This book includes access to four studio recorded backing tracks for exploring the scale and improvisation in a variety of settings. Tracks are also great for practicing your chords against.

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Whether your style is Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz or Classical, these principles will improve your technique, your solos, even your sight reading. Think of fingering as a series of pathways. When you learn to connect these pathways, there are benefits not only to technique but also to creativity.

Scale fingering chart worksheet for exploring multiple and alternate pathways through a scale.