About the A Major Scale (Ionian)
The A major scale is a 7-note scale. The foundation of Western music theory. Its notes are A, B, C#, D, E, F# and G#, built from the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
- Notes
- A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Steps
- W W H W W W H (2–2–1–2–2–2–1 semitones)
- Root
- A
A Major Scale (Ionian) degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Root |
| 2 | B | Major 2nd |
| 3 | C# | Major 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | F# | Major 6th |
| 7 | G# | Major 7th |
Where to play the A Major Scale (Ionian) on bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G), lowest string first. Root notes (A) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| E1 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| A1 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| D2 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| G2 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 |
How to practice the major scale
- Master the 3-note-per-string patterns
- Practice scale sequences (3rds, 4ths)
- Work on position shifts while playing
- Play over I-IV-V progressions
- Focus on resolving to the root note
Scales with the same notes as A Major Scale (Ionian)
These scales share every note with the A major scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Major scale in other keys
Other scales in A
- A Minor Pentatonic
- A Major Pentatonic
- A Mixolydian Pentatonic
- A Natural Minor
- A Blues
- A Dorian
- A Mixolydian
- A Phrygian
- A Harmonic Minor
- A Lydian
- A Locrian
- A Diminished (Half-Whole)
- A Diminished (Whole-Half)
- A Whole Tone
- A Augmented (Hexatonic)
- A Altered (Super Locrian)
- A Phrygian Dominant
- A Lydian Dominant
- A Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- A Bebop Dominant
- A Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- A Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)