Scale
A ionian
Major scale modes
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Notes
- A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯
Notation
Fretboard — frets 0–24
Degrees
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | perfect unison | 0 | The root — the tonal centre every other note is heard against; land on it and the sound resolves. |
| 2 | B | major second | 2 | The major second — a bright neighbour a whole step above the root; in sus2 it replaces the third, so the chord commits to neither major nor minor. |
| 3 | C♯ | major third | 4 | The major third — the bright note that makes a quality major; it defines the chord's colour and pulls gently toward the root. |
| 4 | D | perfect fourth | 5 | The perfect fourth — stable yet suspended; in sus4 it takes the third's place and leaves the chord hanging. |
| 5 | E | perfect fifth | 7 | The perfect fifth — the root's strongest companion; it anchors every triad and stacked-seventh quality. |
| 6 | F♯ | major sixth | 9 | The major sixth — the hopeful note that separates dorian and m6 from their darker cousins; it sits a whole step above the fifth. |
| 7 | G♯ | major seventh | 11 | The major seventh — the leading tone a half-step under the root; in maj7 it glows, in harmonic minor it sharpens the pull home. |
About this scale
Ionian is the major scale itself — the seven-note pattern every other scale in this dictionary is measured against. Its steps run whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, and its degrees are the familiar do-re-mi ladder. Because it contains a major third, a major sixth and a major seventh, it sounds completely settled, with the seventh acting as a leading tone that pulls home. It is the parent of the major-scale family and the reference for the other six qualities built from its degrees. Listen for the half-step between the seventh and the octave root — that small gap is what makes the scale feel finished.
How to practise this scale
- Play it slowly in one position, saying each degree out loud as you go.
- Improvise a melody that ends on the leading tone and resolves to the root.
- Play the scale in thirds to hear the harmony hidden inside it.
- Compare it with the aeolian scale on the same root to hear the relative minor.