The basics
Major
Scales
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As you saw at the beginning of this section, when we start on E, the notes F, C, G and D all need to be sharpened to preserve the pattern of tones and semitones. The E major scale notated here is in a lower octave than the E scale you can play along your E string 1:
This next example shows the major scale of F:
Notice how, in order to preserve the pattern of tones and semitones, the 4th note B needs to be flattened. This B flat is the enharmonic equivalent of A sharp, yet it would be incorrect to refer to this as A sharp. The conventions for how things are named take time to get used to, but you will once you start working with chords and keys.