In the other thread where I was giving  a sound sample and some ideas about how to practice the G major scale by ear by playing along with the sound sample, Denny asked if we can also do it for the other major keys.

I'll start with the G major, just so we can have them all together in one thread eventually.

Now personally, I find it helpful to follow the practice of a major scale with practising what is called it's "relative minor" scale.  How are they related to each other, that they get called that?  Well, to keep the answer short and useful, any major scale and it's relative minor will both have the same natural notes and the same sharps or flats.  So in a way, it is almost like learning two scales with only a bit more work/practice than it would take to learn one. 

For the key of G major, the notes in the scale are G,A,B,C,D,E,F#,G

For the key of E minor, the notes in the scale are E,F#,G,A,B,C,D,E

Notice how each of those scales are all played with "natural" notes except the F#.  G major and E minor also have the same key signature.

So here's the E minor scale:

Most people feel that the minor keys sound more "sad" then the major keys.

Now, if you have been playing for a bit, you already will know the fingerings for the notes.  But if you are new, and especially if you are using tapes, one of the notes you will need is in a place that is not marked with the tapes. 

If you start the scale by playing the E note on the D string (first finger), when you get up to the C note on the A string, the place where the tape is for your second finger is a C sharp, not a C.  So you'll have to play the note that falls just about in the middle between the tapes there, instead. 

It is just one of those things where the tapes don't help with everything. 

But since you would be playing along with the sound sample you'll be able to hear when you get that note right, just like you can with all the rest.