Constructing Scales

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. 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 starting 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. (It’s the same pattern, only starting on the 6th note of a major scale. Starting a major scale from the 6th note is the relative minor scale.)

Every note of the scale has a corresponding number. The first note is 1, the second is 2, and so on… This can also be represented by Roman numerals.

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
Major Pentatonic: 1 2 3 5 6 8
Minor Pentatonic: 1 b3 4 5 b7 8
Blues: 1 b3 4 #4 5 b7 8

Modes:

It’s time to be confused! Modes are talked about quite a bit, but no one seems to know much about how they work or fit into music.

A mode is a major scale that starts and stops on a certain note in the scale. Or they can be derived from the above formula, but that takes longer to figure out.

All examples use the C scale. The same applies for all scales.

The first mode is called “ionian mode“. This one is familiar because it is the major scale. You start and stop on the root (1st note):

C D E F G A B C

So if someone said:

“Play in ionian mode”

You would just play in the root scale (C major).

The chord that fits over Ionian mode is the:

I (major) - C

The second mode is called “dorian mode“. Now you would play the C major scale, but start and stop on the 2nd note – D:

D E F G A B C D

So if someone said:

“We are playing in dorian”

You would use a C scale for a solo, but emphasize the dorian sound by starting and stopping on D or other current-chord-notes. Usually the chord being played outlines the mode sound. The chord that fits over dorian is the:

II (minor) - Dm

The third mode is called “phrygian mode“. Play the C major scale, starting and stopping on the 3rd note – E:

E F G A B C D E

If someone said:

“Solo in phrygian”

You would want to use a C major scale, but emphasize the phrygian sound by starting and stopping on notes from the:

III (minor) - Em

chord.

The fourth mode is called “Lydian mode“. A major scale starting and stopping on the 4th note – F:

F G A B C D E F

“Pa’ani (solo) in lydian!”

And you would respond with a C major scale emphasizing the notes from the:

IV (major) - F

chord.

The fifth mode is called “mixolydian mode“. It’s a major scale started and stopped on the 5th note – G:

G A B C D E F G

[the bass player wants to know if you're getting it yet]

You’d solo in C major starting and stopping on notes from the:

V (major) - G

chord.

The sixth mode is another familiar one (can you guess why?). It’s called “Aeolian mode” and it is the same as a natural minor scale. Remember, a major scale started from the sixth degree is the relative minor. So you’d play a major scale starting and stopping on the 6th note – A:

A B C D E F G A

[now the drummer is starting to wonder...]

Solo in C major with your main notes being from the:

VI (minor) - Am

chord.

The seventh and last mode is called “locrian mode“. This one sounds really bizarre and probably has zero uses for any practical person, but I’ve got to finish the list… Locrian is a major scale that starts and stops on the 7th note – B:

B C D E F G A B

“Solo in locrian!”

Now you wonder why you signed up to play this kind of music…

You would start and end you C major scale solo on notes from the:

VII (diminished or b9) - B°

chord.

[To be continued...]