Constructing scales on the ‘ukulele is probably easier than building chords. When I think of scales, I think in terms of the major scale and flat/sharp notes to create a different scale. So obviously the major scale is a good place to start.

All scales are made out of a certain number of half, whole, and sometimes higher steps. For now, the main steps that will be used are the half and whole. A half step is one fret on the ‘ukulele, a whole step is two. Now, we know that a major scale is made with the steps in this order: W,W,H,W,W,W,H (W=whole, H=half step). Don’t ask me how we know this, we just do. If you take those steps and apply them to any root note you will end up with a major scale. So try some scale you don’t know very well (or at all) – say F#. Remember, a whole step is 2 frets up, and a half step is 1 fret up. Major scale: W,W,H,W,W,W,H.

F# – Whole – G# – Whole – A# – Half – B – Whole – C# – Whole – D# – Whole – E# (F) – Half – F#

Make sense? With the W,W,H,W,W,W,H system you can figure out any major scale.

You can also figure out every natural minor scale using: W,H,W,W,H,W,W

Every note of the scale has a corresponding number. The first note is 1, the second is 2, and so on…

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8(1)
C D E F G A B C

Working from the major scale I usually just flat and sharp some of the numbers to end up with the scale or mode I want to play. For instance, I know that to get a minor scale, all you have to do is flat the 3rd, the 3rd and 6th, or the 3rd, 6th, and 7th. This all depends on what sound you want – if you play them back to back you will hear the differences.

1 2 b3 4 5(b6)(b7)8
C D E  F G A   B  C

So, you end up with: C D Eb F G A B C, C D Eb F G Ab B C, or C D Eb F G Ab Bb C.

Scales/modes to create:

Major: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Natural minor: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
Dorian: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8
Phrygian: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
Lydian: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 8
Mixolydian: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8
Locrian: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 8

Note: I still have not figured out how modes fit into the whole scheme of things, but google them to get an idea of how they work and when I get it figured out I’ll let you know.

~Hippie Guy