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A scale is
a graduated series of musical tones ascending or descending
in order of pitch. Scales build strength and independence
in your fingers. Playing scales helps to train your
ears to recognize common note combinations. They can
be used as note choices in both improvisation and music
writing. Scales must be a part of every musician's practice
routine.
There are
5 basic scale shapes that every guitar player should
know. They should be practiced and played daily in all
positions. Try to use them in your playing by writing
or improvising melodies with them.
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Major
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The
major scale should be the first scale that you
learn. It is a great warm up and technique builder.
It is the starting point for all theory. This
is a two octave scale. From the 1st red circle
to the 2nd is one octave. Oct is the Latin prefix
for eight, so the 2nd square is eight notes above
the 1st. The spelling for this scale is: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.
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Everything About Guitar Scales 
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Minor
Pentatonic
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Minor
pentatonic is the most common of all scales used
in rock, blues and many other styles. The pentatonic
scale has only five different notes before you are
back to a root.The spelling for this scale is: 1,
b3, 4, 5, b7. Theoretically, all scales are written
(formula wise) from the major scale. That is why
the spelling for this scale contains a flatted third
and seventh. They are altered tones from the major
scale. It is also worth noting that if you were
to start this scale from the 2nd note (if we were
in A for example; the 2nd note would be C ) you
would be playing C major pentatonic. You would therefore
use it in a C major context. |
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101 Basic Minor Pentatonic Scales |
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Blues
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The blues
scale is the minor pentatonic with an added note
in both octaves. This scale is not only used in
blues, it is used in all styles of music, including
"heavy metal" and "country" music.
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101 Basic Blues Scales
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Major
Pentatonic
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For
the major pentatonic scale shift your hand and play
the notes on the 1st and 2nd strings with your 1st
and 3rd fingers. Usually you should shift positions
if you are playing more than 1 string. That does
not include your 1st finger. |
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101
Basic Major Pentatonic Scales |
Minor
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The
minor scale requires a shift on the 3rd string only.
Use your 1st, 2nd, and 4th fingers for the notes
on the 3rd string. Stay in position for all of the
other strings. Starting this one from the 3rd note
would give you a major scale. Using scales in this
manner is what all of the great improvisers do;
instead of just having a major or minor scale you
can potentially have seven different scales. In
fact, it is the harmonic context that you place
a scale into that will make it sound several different
ways. If this loses you, I would encourage you to
study more music theory. You can never know too
much. |
Scales Over Chords
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