Most scales have 7 notes in them, which are 7 different pitches. Other scales as you wiil soon find out, will have more or less notes in them. A musical scale will start out and end with the same note, which is called the root. For instance, if the scale starts out with the "C" note, the name of the scale is"C" which is the root of the scale.

The type of musical scale would be either "Major or Minor" depending on what notes follow the root note "C". The diagram below displays the notes that make up the "C Major scale", which in turn makes up the "key of C Major" and gives the key it's own unique tonal qualities for the pitch note"C".

The blank spaces in the diagram are notes within the chromatic scale that are not used in the "C Major" scale. The chromatic scale is shown just below.

Now, below is the notes that make up the "C Minor scale" which in turn makes up the "key of C minor". The scale starts out with the same note as the C Major scale, but you can see that the scale uses different notes within the 'C Minor scale" that gives the "key of C Minor" it's own unique sound and qualities for the pitch note "C".

You notice the flat symbols on the "E,A & B" notes. Looking on the chromatic scale these notes are a half tone pitch lower then the original note.

A sharp note is a half tone pitch higher then the original note. As you become more advanced in music theory, this will become more understandable for you.

Before you begin the guitar scale sessions, I'd suggest taking a look at Guitar Scales-Getting Started this will prepare you for learning the guitar scales.