Scales For Beginners

This lesson was created specifically for beginner and possibly intermediate guitarists interested in learning guitar scales!

Gmajor scale 1st position r=root note
|-----------------------------------------2--3--5--------------------|
|-----------------------------------3--5-----------------------------|
|--------------------------2--4--5-----------------------------------|
|-----------------2--4--5--------------------------------------------|
|--------2--3--5-----------------------------------------------------|
|--3--5--------------------------------------------------------------|
   r                     r                    r
   2  4  1  2  4  2  3  4  1  3  4  2  4  1  2  4
   ----------fingers used (optional)-------------
 
Gmaj 2nd position 
|--------------------------------------------5--7--8-----------------|
|-----------------------------------5--7--8--------------------------|
|--------------------------4--5--7-----------------------------------|
|-----------------4--5--7--------------------------------------------|
|-----------5--7-----------------------------------------------------|
|--5--7--8-----------------------------------------------------------|
                      r                    r
 
   1  3  4  2  4  1  2  4  1  2  4  1  3  4  1  3  4
 
Gmaj 3rd position 
|------------------------------------------------7--8--10------------|
|--------------------------------------7--8--10----------------------|
|--------------------------------7--9--------------------------------|
|----------------------7--9--10--------------------------------------|
|------------7--9--10------------------------------------------------|
|--7--8--10----------------------------------------------------------|
                    r                      r
   1  2  4   1  3   4  1  3  4   1  3   1  2  4   1  2  4
 
Gmaj 4th position 
|-------------------------------------------------------10--12-------|
|-------------------------------------------10--12--13---------------|
|--------------------------------9--11--12---------------------------|
|---------------------9--10--12--------------------------------------|
|----------9--10--12-------------------------------------------------|
|--10--12------------------------------------------------------------|
               r                         r
    2   4  1   2   4  1  2    4  1   3   4   1   3   4   1   3
 
Gmaj 5th position 
|---------------------------------------------------------12--14--15-|
|---------------------------------------------12--13--15-------------|
|---------------------------------11--12--14-------------------------|
|-------------------------12--14-------------------------------------|
|-------------12--14--15---------------------------------------------|
|-12--14--15---------------------------------------------------------|
           r                           r                            r
   1  3   4    1   3   4   1   3   1   2   4   1   2   4    1   3  4

These are the 5 positions of the Major scale. The root note is the note that determines what the scale is called. Such as, Gmajor, Amajor Bbmajor etc. Some of these scales require some position shifts, i.e. where you have to adjust your hand to get to the next note. I've notated the fingerings as to make this a little easier.

The Major scale is based on scale degrees. I II III IV V VI VII VIII these are determined by half and whole steps. A half step you can think of it as going up or down one fret. Like from B to C or D to D#. A whole step is like going up two frets. B to C# or A to B.

I-II     whole step
II-III   whole step
III-IV   half step
IV-V     whole step
VI-VII   half step
VII-VIII whole step

VIII is just an octave up from the root note (B-B). An octave is eight steps up. Same note, just higher or lower than the root. With the 1st position of the Major scale, you can make that Amajor by moving the root note on the low E string up to the 5th fret. Hence, the A major scale. By memorizing these you can play in any key by finding the root note somewhere on the fretboard. Make a recording of just the G major chord, then play the scale, and improvise something over it. Or you can use these chords: Gmaj, Amin, Bmin, Cmaj, Dmaj, Emin, F#min (or diminished)

Minor scales are the same as the relative major scales, except that they start on a different note. The scales above you can use over Eminor, because Eminor is Gmajor's relative key. This means, that the notes are the same in both scales, and the chords are the same, it would just be that Eminor is the most prominent chord. Most rock music is in Eminor, minor keys are very dark sounding, whereas major chords, sound happy, or bright.

G Pentatonic Major 
|--------------------------------3--5--------------------------------|
|--------------------------3--5--------------------------------------|
|--------------------2--4--------------------------------------------|
|--------------2--5--------------------------------------------------|
|--------2--5--------------------------------------------------------|
|--3--5--------------------------------------------------------------|
   r               r              r
 
|-------------------------------5--7---------------------------------|
|-------------------------5--8---------------------------------------|
|-------------------4--7---------------------------------------------|
|-------------5--7---------------------------------------------------|
|-------5--7---------------------------------------------------------|
|-5--7---------------------------------------------------------------|
              r              r
 
|-----------------------------------7--10----------------------------|
|----------------------------8--10-----------------------------------|
|----------------------7--9------------------------------------------|
|----------------7--9------------------------------------------------|
|---------7--10------------------------------------------------------|
|--7--10-------------------------------------------------------------|
             r                r
 
|----------------------------------------10--12----------------------|
|--------------------------------10--12------------------------------|
|-------------------------9--12--------------------------------------|
|------------------9--12---------------------------------------------|
|----------10--12----------------------------------------------------|
|--10--12------------------------------------------------------------|
            r                 r           
 
|------------------------------------------12--15--------------------|
|----------------------------------12--15----------------------------|
|--------------------------12--14------------------------------------|
|-----------------12--14---------------------------------------------|
|---------12--14-----------------------------------------------------|
|-12--15-------------------------------------------------------------|
      r                     r                   r

These are the 5 Pentatonic scale positions. Gmajor (again) Pentatonic can be thought of as Eminor Pentatonic. Just start on a different note. Try this. Record a progression - E - A - B use power chords (5chords) then play these scales over it. Memorize these scales by their root note (r) and you can play in any key just knowing these 5 positions.

Pentatonic scales are used commonly in blues or rock. They're only 5 notes, as compared to major or minor (7 notes). Practice these two types of scales in each position, try to use a metronome if you have one, this will enable you to play these scales cleanly and accurately. A good thing to do is find the first root note from the low E string. Play the scale starting on the root, play the scale up then down to the Low E, then back to the root note. Example:

|--------------------------5--7--8--7--5-----------------------------|
|-----------------5--7--8-----------------8--7--5--------------------|
|--------4--5--7-----------------------------------7--5--4-----------|
|--5--7-----------------------------------------------------7--5--4--|
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
|------------------------------------|
|------------------------------------|
|------------------------------------|
|------------------------------4--5--|
|-7--5-------------------5--7--------|
|---------8--7--5--7--5--------------|

This way, you will remember where the root note is, there are usually at least two root notes in a scale, try starting on all the root notes for each position and doing this. This way, you can find a starting point on any string. Also pay attention to how the notes connect to each other up the fret board. That's all for now, keep it up!

Comments

[Dyuha]

Good job...

[ctb]

Good. Very good.

[unearthly641]

great im gonna use this.

[Dexter Smith]

4th! good for newbies

[(sic)kid]

Just a little mistake you did there, back in the part where you say "I-II Whole Step" etc, you missed the "V-VI Whole Step", kinda confused me at first but I just remembered my music class lol. Just wanted to pint it out, could confuse a few new people.

[(sic)kid]

Sorry, pint means point.

[Daysra]

If this is for beginners you should tell them how scales would help them building up solos.

[Soma3009]

wow, I've been looking for a lesson that didn't require me to learn notes before learning scales. Thanks, man

[xenolith42]

Umm.. It could be the way it's set out, but with your G major in 2nd position and so on, you don't make it clear what the root note is. You need to do that!! Otherwise it looks like you're trying to teach modes or something. Please fix this up to save too much confusion. The one thing that makes theory hard to learn is the wrong or confusing info. If everyone had clear, easy to read and easy to understand info, we'd all be a lot better at theory. Cheers!

[Something Big]

5 star, but i thought pentatonics were different
E)3-6
B)3-6
G)3-5
D)3-5
A)3-5
E)3-
6 like that, but thats probably something different

[guitarplaya1217]

i've been playing for 3 years and my solos suck.this will defintely help me. good article

[motaheat]

NICE warmup!!!..

[thomasma]

something big, i think the pentatonic you know is a minor penta, not a major pentatonic
this lesson is good

[queen471]

Good lesson I'll agree. Recently started to do more with scales cuz havnt been bothered and ive been playing for 2 years now. so cheers

[SilentDeftone]

Your roots are nonspecific because of the spacing thingy with lessons. Also those scales may all be using the notes of G major, but aren't all G major?

[Something Big]

thanks thomasma

[Jenny1990]

I still dont get any of this but good job anyways>

[ce12872001]

good job!

[Matze]

your major pentatonic typing is completly wrong man

[Ouestla]

Just what I needed!

[Guitar ace]

is there a Bmaj scale or something if there is some one write wat it is i'm still stuck on how to make a scale or whatever!!

[The Fiddler]

yea, but where is the standard notation?

I don't know what notes those are so how is that supposed to help me?

[herschel]

good, but im a bit onfused on the roots..
im a bit stupid lol!

[dozerdog_79]

roots are your core roots...overall good lesson for starters.

[below_par_god]

kewl lesson dude for startin major and relative pentatonics t it was good it took me donkey years to try and figure out all the diff positions on my own, ..but you shuda said bout bein able to just shift that minor shape up and down to change key,, very kewl do

[pontious]

Very cool. The problem with his spacing is that HTML doesn't (without help) use multiple spaces even if you put them in. There are a few ways around this, but for now just open up the HTML page souce and you can see what he meant to have displayed. If you want a specific number of spaces use the html code "&npsb;" without the quotes wherever you want an extra (more than one) space...

[ultimate_punk]

Excellent 5 star from me.

[goog7]

good job...i think u should add minor pentatonics lots of solos r that scale

[Nelsean]

great lesson

[imbroglio]

that's exactly what i've been lookin for!
great job

[stinkykuch]

great, great, great very nicely done easy to understand....5 stars

[cazzamia]

i dont understand sumthin - he used the examples of a g maj scale, when playin otha scales like A,B,C,D etc, do u just start at the root and then move up using the whole and half steps in the pattern shown???? x x x x

[MarkWantPieNow]

for 5 maj scales, the roots are as follows:
1.
E---..3

2.
D ---..5

3.
A---..10

4.
A----10

5.
E----
15

[MarkWantPieNow]

so to switch to a different key, simply use that note as your root, and move up or down untill you find the note for the key you want to play in.

eg on first scale given

the root is 3 on E string for the key of G, so if you wanted to play in key of A, simply move up to a 5 on E string.

[disuse_PUNK]

I don't understand this....what are positions?

[bodomination]

dood..urs aint bad...quite cool... i suggest u go do a lesson on shredding... tat'll own man ^^ .. aight.. rawk on!! \m/-_-\m/

[Grunge]

thank you very much... nice lesson

[IndicaSativa]

Good lesson, I will be practising this alot now. I'm starting to figure out some of this stuff on the guitar finally. Only took me 8 years. lol

[Rickydicky2004]

Thanks mate, no nothing about scales after nearly two and a half years, but this actually makes some kinda sense

[Tid]

wow, no need for a book, money saved some money, ching ching!!

[DimeAlive]

not bad!

[metal4all]

i didnt get a ***ing thing about it, oh well

[weird hippie]

it really helps thanks

[Blackpanther]

thanks it really helped

[gary19862k6]

[b]MarkWantPieNow[
/b] wrote:

so to switch to a different key, simply use that note as your root, and move up or down untill you find the note for the key you want to play in.

eg on first scale given

the root is 3 on E string for the key of G, so if you wanted to play in key of A, simply move up to a 5 on E string.

yeah wot he sed i want to know that aswell ????

[alexlemon2]

these are cool to just excerise your pinky on, even if you dont want to learn the scales, use them to build the muscles in your pinky

great job

[Boot]

i love scales, they rock!

[SRV369]

thank you. these are really nice

[nab_guitarist]

Thanku DudE!! XcelLLenT

[theused27]

ummm thats hot?

[punk 'n roller]

i been playing for like 5 months and this will definitely help me out bro. you rock

[danger_boy_13]

pontious wrote:

Very cool. The problem with his spacing is that HTML doesn't (without help) use multiple spaces even if you put them in. There are a few ways around this, but for now just open up the HTML page souce and you can see what he meant to have displayed. If you want a specific number of spaces use the html code "&npsb;" without the quotes wherever you want an extra (more than one) space...

try " ", I believe that is the correct code for "non-breakable space".

[QwAn]

Man that tut really helped out ! i wasn't understanding that stuff at all ! :S
Thumbs up !

[coolluke0505]

how does this help build your solos?

[coolluke0505]

like i am wondering

[ZEiNDEiN]

nice

[blaster79]

Nice lesson

[DeweyFinn]

"Just sit back and listen to the magic of ROCK!

[fender77]

wow dude, i noticed a huge mistake. on your major scales, the whole and half steps should be like this:
I-II Whole Step
II-III-Whole Step
III-VIV-Half Step
VIV-V-Whole Step
V-VI-Whole Step
VI-VII-Whole Step
VII-VIII-Half Step

[ourlastday]

great lesson, it helped me alot

[can't_stop4ever]

i think this is good
is it right?
i don't know

[bleedblack]

ur all nuts :/

[xacks_03]

amm how to do the pentatonic scales?? amm is there a tab on it??

[Gibson_Rocker13]

the blues penatonice scales are way better for beginners to learn

[metal_matt6]

nice lesson i love doing scales

[stag313]

ya i like the blues better from the tri tone but the normal pentatonic scales are more rock and these scales i don't think r a good method. learn the minor and major pentatonic scales first then these.

[Acoustisoul]

I ain't 2 smart, butt i Wreckin' This'll 'elp.

[Naeroon]

Really helpful. Thanks!

[Hutcho69]

Can anyone please tell me if there is a relationship between a "Key Signature" and a Scale ??
ie: If the Music is written in Amaj would it be fair to say that by playing notes within an Amaj Scale would be complimentary ????
Theory confuses me but everytime it's explained it is so f&^&^ing clear !!!
Regards

John

[Punk God]

Awesome, im finally going to learn scales

[Oasis-fanatic]

lol ok i think i know what a scale is now xD, thx this has helped me books and people have blinded me with technical words

[Logan_rah]

In answer to above question, you can generally (but not always) say that if music is written in the Amaj key it will use the A maj scale.

another important note is that a maj scale actually goes,
I-II Tone
II-III Tone
III-IV semi-Tone (half tone)
IV-V tone
V-VI tone
VI-VII tone
VII-VIII semitone

[dannythemanrock]

nice! i actually learnt summat!

[oklahoma pie]

wow, thanks. ive been looking for some kind of help with scales

[Hutcho69]

Hey Logan, thanks for taking the time to help, I appreciate it.
Hutcho

[Mario Augusto]

It's a good lesson...thanks

[almost_skater]

when do scales stop? is it after the WWHWWWH formula or when it reaches its octave?

[seb_kool]

So the first scale is called Gmajor, because G is the note u start on, right? so shouldn't the second scale be called Amajor?
also what makes the scale a Major one?

[Sploosh92]

It was a good lesson thanks!

[seb_kool]

dont worry i understand now, its all kool

[right]

If you want to make a lesson for beginners you need to explain why and how you use scales and show some examples in songs.

[wtfguitarist]

this makes so much more sense i must personally say its nice to see something that makes sense

[metallica92]

awesome lesson

[teh_gorgon]

Good Lesson

[tviscomcastic]

This was incredibly helpful thx

[VelvetAlley411]

Nice Lesson

[RiCKONZ]

Does anyone know where I can get more scales set out in a format similar to this?

[alexa_4912]

cool, i didnt know all the different positions there were for scales. cheers for that!

[aguynamedlarry]

dude. this is beautiful.Man people pay big money for this kinda thing!! thanks man!!!

[holtr2004]

You have listed there being 5 positions, which leads to 5 versions of the same scale in a different location on the fret board. However, one might want to point out that there are actually 7 variations of the Major scale; for each there is a separate name: Ionian (The Major Scale), Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian (The Minor Scale) and Locrian. First position was Ionian, Second position was Dorian, Third position was Phrygian, Fourth position was Lydian and Fifth position was Mixolydian. For beginners it may not seem that the extra two scales are needed but for the sake of understanding the Major and Minor scales relationships with each other one should learn the Aeolian mode (The Minor Scale) as well. There was another slight oversight in the discussion of chords that can be used for the G Major scale: it is F# Diminished triad as stated in parenthesis and not F# minor because of the 5th degree; F# minor consists of F#, A and C#, the C# does not belong in the key of G Major, however, F#, A and C which makes diminished does fit with in the note structure of G Major. I apologize is this comment appears aggressive, that is not my intent. I only mean for the most accurate method of learning be available to all musicians.

[loserboyjay]

I-II Whole
II-III Whole
III-IV Half
IV-V Whole
V-VI Whole
VI-VII Whole
VII-VIII Half

WWHWWWH

Those are the correct intervals for the major scale. Looks like you got messed up when you skipped over one.

[Joeninho]

When using the metronome for scales, should you 'bury the click' with each note? Then just build up to a respectable speed? I'm off to start a metronome thread....

[miguul911]

really good job...

[lounge act]

Thanks, this is good.

I've never had any lessons, so after a little more than a year I still don't know my scales... Until now!

[Neilisa]

good

[negativcreep187]

yeah, good lesson, but one question:
are th different positions of Gmaj different root notes?
it looks to me like the second position would be Amaj

[dodee]

yep i get it but shouldnt the root note alwayz be first?
cuz if it iznt and its a major scale(which only requires for you to change the root note to change mode) then you would be in a different mode...
im not sure but if im wrong(which i probably am) then can someone pleaze explain?

[Qwerasd]

great lesson , thanks

[dodee]

ok no sorry i gtet it, my theory would only work with the c major scale...

[neo14085]

thanks a bunch
im still a beginner (12 years of age)
and i really wanted to kno my scales thanks!

[hardrockmusicX]

Good lesson, really helped me out thanks

[g graas]

thanks I'm new guitar and this will help me a lot thanks

[frankrunner93]

thanks dude helped alot since i havent been playin long

[deckerbastard69]

thanks, after playing guitar for about 8 months i figured its about time for me to learn some scales

[sudaca]

wow as a bigginer this really helps me out . Iused to fool around with the guitar just playing cords ,but now i'm starting to understand how to speak with it . thanks a lot.

[diegoguitar]

thx .. good lesson

[richymisiak]

great lesson

[catman231]

Cheers, 5 stars from me

[RHCP987123]

arent the different postions in the major scale just modes?
he doesnt explain that these are modes.

[Matthew-Irwin]

I'm confused, how can they all be G major?

[fenderbanger]

alright, i have only been playing for one year, and i have really been focusing my playing around techniques, like scales, modes, etc, and i was under the assumption that the root note is the first note played in that scale, so for example wouldn't your second scale be in Bmaj not Gmaj, pls correct me if im wrong. the only way i can see this being wrong is if you are starting every cale on Gmaj, but the way they are laid out i dont think they look like there all Gmaj scales.

[gagnon1987]

this really hlp me out alot ty for the post!

[ENZOCONSTANTINE]

thanks

[Hott_Licks]

disuse_PUNK wrote:

I don't understand this....what are positions?

positions are also know as modes. In the key of C major there are 7 modes aka positions. there are modes for every single key...the modes dont change in the order you execute them, so in the key of C major you have these notes C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C ( 7 NOTES IN A SCALE )if you play a your root note as the D in the key of C major, then you are playing your dorian mode in the key of C, playing the root note in E is your phrygian mode...and so on.

[Audrey84]

For anyone who does not understand: You always start on the root note, go all the way up the scale and back down, then up again to finish on the root note. Al the notes are there for a gmaj scale. If you are soloing in that key ( as long as you stick to that formula) you can solo without hitting any wrong note.
Now there are only 5 positions here. Anything else are called Modes. and if your not sure about your scales yet, just dont even venture in the realm of modes. You will only get confused.

[discowery]

gr8... :P