2.1 The Major Scale & Formulae

When analysing the various scales and arpeggios that Andy uses you will encounter numerical formulae: here’s a quick summary of what those numbers actually mean…

The major scale functions as the basis of all other scales, chords and arpeggios – and its intervals (that is the notes it contains) are assigned a numerical formula.

These are: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Notes are deleted, or altered as fits purpose, and the Major scale provides a universal reference point (or ‘datum’) enabling us to see at a glance the musical make up of any chord scale or arpeggio.

Let’s look at a couple of examples:

E Major Scale: E F# G# A B C# D#

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

E minor Pentatonic: E G A B D

1 b3 4 5 b7

A Major Scale: A B C# D E F# G#

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

A minor Pentatonic: A C D E G

1 b3 4 5 b7