The Diatonic Scale
If we limit ourselves to only seven notes per octave, instead of twelve, we are playing a "heptatonic scale".
There are several different types of heptatonic scales because there are a number of different ways to arrange 7 notes derived from the chromatic scale. The diatonic scale is the most common of the heptatonic scales.
The Diatonic Scale
The diatonic scale forms the basis of most music created in American and European culture in the last few centuries.
It is made up of 2 semitones (S) and 5 tones (T) arranged in this order:
T-T-S-T-T-T-S.
In scale numbers it looks like this: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-1.
After the 7th note, the pattern repeats in the next octave.
The C diatonic scale is spelled C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. (The white keys on the piano are the C Major scale notes.)
C to D = T
D to E = T
E to F = S
F to G = T
G to A = T
A to B = T
B to C = S
This scale pattern (T-T-S-T-T-T-S) is also called the "Major" scale.
You may wonder why there is no E# or B# notes between the E and F or B and C. The reason is mostly due to historic nomenclature, but also because of the general structure of the diatonic scale. Because the scale is built T-T-S-T-T-T-S, at least two notes are not going to have accidentals between them. These turn out to be the E and F as well as the B and C notes in our system of naming notes.
Playing the Diatonic
Just like with the chromatic scale, there are 4 ways to play the diatonic on the steel guitar:
1. Horizontally on a single string
2. Vertically without Pedals
3. Vertically with Pedals
4. Moving in Phrases (discussed in Tetrachords section)
Horizontal Movement
Here is one way to play the C diatonic scale horizontally across the neck:
Here is the notation for playing the diatonic scale horizontally:
- You can find the notation legend here:
LEGEND
- You can find the full explanation of my notation system here:
PSG NOTATION
- You can find out how to read sheet music here:
READING MUSIC
- You can find the tuning arrangement of the pedals here:
COPEDENT
Vertical Movement Without Pedals
There are two vertical positions where the notes require the least amount of bar movement. They are found near the 3rd and 8th frets.
Here is the notation for the diatonic scale near Position 3:
Here is the notation for the diatonic scale near Position 8:
Vertical Movement With Pedals
Just as with the chromatic, playing the diatonic vertically across the next without pedals is a bit cumbersome. But playing it this way first will help you mentalize what the pedals do to each string, once you do use the pedals.
Here is the diagram of the notes at Position 3 along with the bar copedent to find the pedals:
Here is the notation for the Position 3:
Here is the diagram of the notes at Position 8 along with the bar copedent to find the pedals:
Here is the notation for the Position 8:
HISTORY
CONSTRUCTION
TUNING
COPEDENTS
LEGEND
NOTATION
BEGINNERS
SCALES
DYADS
CHORDS
COMPOSITION
IMPROV
TECHNIQUES
EXERCISES
CLASSICS
TIMELINE