GUITAR
SCALES
Guitar Scales & Modes
Out of all the guitar scales out there, we’ll focus on the scales most commonly used in guitar solos.
GUITAR
Week Navigation
Finger-numbering
Finger-numbering
It is also important to remember the finger numbers when using scales.
Finger-numbering
This diagram will help indicate which finger will be used for each of the exercises on the fretboard hand and on the picking hand.
Our index finger will have the number 1, our middle finger the number 2, our ring finger the number 3, and our little or pinky finger the number 4. As the name of our thumb, we will use the letter T.
It will be helpful if you have a basic understanding of how the scales are sequenced so you'll be able to understand how the different modes, degrees, and shapes work.
Scales & Modes Week 1
Most Popular Guitar Scales
Out of all the guitar scales out there, we'll focus on the scales most commonly used in guitar solos. This course will take us through the process of analyzing how scales are already sequenced for the purpose of simply memorizing them.
Guitar Scales
Guitar Scales
At their most basic level, when talking about scales, they represent a sequence of notes in ascending or descending order of pitch that are separated by an octave.
Basically what is a scale?
Let’s just cover the basics for now. At their most basic level, when talking about scales, they represent a sequence of notes in ascending or descending order of pitch that are separated by an octave.
The theory side is distracting from what we want to accomplish, so we don’t need to know how they’re built or why they came into existence. The more we practice and play these scales, the more we’ll understand how they work, their different modes, and their different degrees. It’s not complicated, but we won’t spend much time explaining it. Play them, memorize them, enjoy their sound, and get to know what each scale sounds like and what message it’s sending.
Usually, one of the first things most musicians learn is how to play the major scale. I don’t quite understand why it’s the start-up scale when it’s no different from all the other scales in terms of difficulty.
Starting with the major scale just because it has been categorized that way without any logical reason doesn’t make much sense since all scales work pretty much the same. However, we will cover this scale as well, since it is just as important as the rest of the scales.
All of us want to start playing scales that we hear in our favorite music, as well as those used by some of the best guitarists in the world. There are two scales that are most frequently used by top guitarists and are the scales on which the majority of guitar solos are based: the pentatonic scale and the minor blues scale.
This course will take us through the process of analyzing how scales are already sequenced for the purpose of simply memorizing them.
Pentatonic Scale
Pentatonic Scale
Essentially, a pentatonic scale is a collection of five notes from a major or minor scale.
The Minor Pentatonic Scale
Essentially, a pentatonic scale is a collection of five notes from a major or minor scale. One of the most common scales used by guitarists is the minor pentatonic scale, which is one of the most familiar and widely used scales in the world of music.
While the major scale has 7 notes, the pentatonic scale only has 5. When it’s major, it contains 5 notes of the major scale, and when it’s minor, it contains 5 notes of the minor scale.
As follows: C, D, G, E, A.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
This scale allows you to easily improvise over any blues or rock song.
Minor Blues Scale
Minor Blues Scale
The minor blues scale is basically the minor pentatonic scale with a (♭5) or a (#4).
The Minor Blues Scale
The minor blues scale is basically the minor pentatonic scale with a (♭5) or a (#4).
By adding just one note to the minor pentatonic scale to spice it up a bit, you will find that it becomes quite interesting. A very little variation can have a big impact.
This is the scale that allows you to produce a sound that is similar to that of some of the top blues guitarists around the world. It is a very basic scale, is easy to learn and can be played in a number of different ways.
This scale is not just used in blues, just like its name suggests. It is used more and more in other music styles such as rock, metal, jazz, and even pop in some of today’s modern songs.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
It is a scale that has its own style, which is a bluesy style, and blues solos go well with many styles when done correctly.
Major Scale
Major Scale
This is one of the most basic scales, and it is also an important one to learn. It is a diatonic scale, and it has seven notes in it.
The Major Scale
The major scale is a diatonic scale, which means that it moves through the sequence in a two-tone pattern (W – W – H – W – W – W – H) without skipping notes.
As follows: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. (Root Note C – DW – EW – FH – GW – AW – BH – Octave Note C).
The major scale is found in some of the most popular songs.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
By learning this scale and memorizing each of the patterns, you will be able to improvise in any major key.
Minor Scale
Minor Scale
In the same way the major scale is a seven-note scale, the minor scale also has seven notes.
The Minor Scale
In the same way the major scale is a seven-note scale, the minor scale also has seven notes.
While the major scale has a very distinctive sound and has a bright and happy feel to it, the minor scale has a rather mellow, sad, and nostalgic feel to it, rather than a bright and happy feeling.
The minor scale, or Aeolian mode as it is also known, follows the pattern of the following notes: (W – H – W – W – H – W – W).
It is worth pointing out that the main difference between a major scale and a minor scale is that the minor scale consists of half steps (H) where the major scale consists of whole steps (W).
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The minor scale is widely used in solos of popular forms of music such as rock and blues.
Chromatic Scale
Chromatic Scale
It is the scale that contains 12 notes. C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B.
The Chromatic Scale
Some musicians undervalue the chromatic scale, while others, including myself, have found it to be one of the most important scales there are out there. This is not only because it contains every note on the fretboard, but it also acts as a bridge between scales and modes.
This scale, if you use it wisely can also help you avoid making mistakes when you play since every note you play on it is either one up or one down from the scale you were playing before or the scale you will be merging into.
For example, suppose you were playing a blues minor scale and you landed on the “wrong” note. In my opinion, while many people would regard this as a mistake, this is actually a part of a scale, the chromatic scale in this case, and the note that sounds off serves as a bridge to connect the two scales together.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The easiest scale to memorize but extremely important when it comes to understanding improvisation.
Scales & Modes Week 2
Guitar Scales Shapes
A better method to learn any scale on the guitar fretboard would be by dividing it into five shapes.
Guitar Scales Shapes
Guitar scales shapes
It is very helpful to have the fretboard divided into five shapes, as this will make it easier to learn any scale. However, we are only going to focus on one shape at a time. We will work with the C blues minor scale as a reference for our learning.
Scales Shapes
Taking a look at the fretboard diagram of shape 1, it can be seen that it contains 15 notes, which are contained within frets 0 to 4. Those are the notes you should memorize for shape 1. You will move on to a different shape and memorize the notes within it as you progress.
The shape 2 contains 14 notes between frets 3rd and 7th, the shape 3 contains 14 notes between frets 5 and 9, the shape 4 has 14 notes between frets 8 and 11th, and the shape 5 contains 15 notes between frets 10th and 14th.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
If we look at the diagram above, you’ll notice some shapes have more notes included than others. Every scale is going to have 5 slightly different shapes, but the concept remains the same.
Shape 1
Shape 2
Shape 3
Shape 4
Shape 5
Scales & Modes Week 3
Memorizing guitar scale shapes
It is easier to memorize scales when shapes are linked together.
Memorizing Scales Shapes
Memorizing guitar scale shapes
If you want to memorize a scale, it’s good to play each of the different shapes up and down the strings, but the ultimate goal is to memorize it completely and have complete freedom across the fretboard.
If you wish to be able to move freely across the fretboard or at least to be knowledgeable, it makes it easier to link shapes together and practice them simultaneously. For example, if you want to learn shapes 3 and 4, you can simply play them as they appear and memorize them, but you could also link them together as a whole to learn them more effectively.
The first step we take is to place our fingers on the lowest string of the third shape, then as we reach the end of the third shape on the first string, we slide our fingers up to the end of the fourth shape on the first string and then we move backwards until we reach the lowest string of the fourth shape.
C blues minor scale.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
Shapes 3 & 4 linked together
This is how it sounds
We could also do this with other shapes. It is not necessary to play the entire shape. Even if we just play the notes on the first 3 strings between the 2 shapes going up and down each shape, we can achieve the desired result.
Whenever we play guitar riffs, we typically do not use the entire shape, but the combination of 2 or 3 strings before transitioning to a new mode or shape.
Scales & Modes Week 4
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats
Scale shapes are an effective way to memorize the fretboard.
Octave-based scale shapes
Octave-based scale shapes
When you practice the scale on both a base note and an octave, you will find it much easier to memorize the scale.
When it comes to memorizing scales we will often link shapes together to make it easier for us to memorize them, but we can also play the same shape on both a base note as well as an octave.
In this exercise, we’re going to play the notes on the minor blues scale shape 2 on the base note and repeat it in an octave.
C blues minor scale shape 2 – From the 3rd fret to 7th fret – Octave from fret 15th to fret 19th.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
Shape 2 - base note & octave
This is how it sounds
Remember you can learn the shapes in a variety of ways, not just by memorizing all the notes at once. You can memorize simple riffs within that shape, and memorize them as well within an octave of the shape.
Scales & Modes Week 5
Modes
Basically, a musical mode can be defined as a variation on a scale. The Ionian mode is the first mode in the major scale.
Modes
MODES
Basically, a musical mode can be defined as a variation on a scale.
Since this course isn’t about theory, we’ll cover a few modes and basically what they are.
Basically, a musical mode can be defined as a variation on a scale. A major scale consists of seven modes and each mode has its own feel. Changing the starting note of a scale changes the mode.
The major scale is made up of C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, where C is at the beginning. If we change where the scale begins, we are essentially using a mode.
Major scale modes
In the major scale there are seven modes.
These modes are Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. Each of these modes has its own sound and feel to it. Let’s start with the first mode first.
Ionian Mode
In the major scale, the Ionian mode is the first mode.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The sound of the Ionian mode
It is possible to play the Ionian mode over major chords, and its personality and feel can be described as colorful and uplifting.
Scales & Modes Week 6
Dorian Mode
Dorian is the second mode of the major scale.
Modes
Dorian Mode
In the major scale, the Dorian mode is the second mode.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The sound of the Dorian mode
Played with minor chords, bluesy melodies, the Dorian mode has a sad but hopeful personality and feel.
Scales & Modes Week 7
Phrygian Mode
The Phrygian mode is the third mode in the major scale.
Modes
Phrygian Mode
The Phrygian mode is the third mode in the major scale.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The sound of the Phrygian mode
It is very likely that you will recognize this mode as it is very distinctive. It is often used in flamenco music or music from the Middle East.
Scales & Modes Week 8
Lydian Mode
The Lydian mode is the 4th mode in the major scale.
Modes
Lydian Mode
The Lydian mode is the 4th mode in the major scale.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The sound of the Lydian mode
Lydian mode is suitable for playing over major chords.
Scales & Modes Week 9
Mixolydian Mode
The Mixolydian mode is the 5th mode in the major scale.
Modes
Mixolydian Mode
The Mixolydian mode is the 5th mode in the major scale.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The sound of the Mixolydian mode
The Mixolydian mode is just like the major scale or the Ionian mode, except that it has a flat 7 in it. It sounds bluesy or country or you can describe it as something happy or joyful.
Scales & Modes Week 10
Aeolian Mode
The Aeolian mode, the 6th mode in the major scale.
Modes
Aeolian Mode
Mode 6 on the major scale, the Aeolian mode.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The sound of the Aeolian mode
The Aeolian mode has a sorrowful sound to it as it contains the notes of a major scale with a flat 3, a flat 6 and a flat 7. This gives it a very mysterious and gloomy tone.
Scales & Modes Week 11
Locrian Mode
The Locrian mode, the 7th mode in the major scale.
Modes
Locrian Mode
Mode 7 on the major scale, the Locrian mode.
From the 12th fret on, every note repeats.
The sound of the Locrian mode
There is one mode that is often described as being rare and opaque, and that is the locrian mode. It is as if there is something unresolved in the melody. It is not that common to hear this mode.
Scales & Modes Week 12
Guitar Scales & Modes Conclusion
Knowing and recognizing each individual mode is essential when it comes to creating music rather than having to guess where the song is heading and how to resolve a melody.
In Conclusion
In conclusion
We covered the following modes in this lesson: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. Each of these modes has its own sound and feel.
Knowing and recognizing each individual mode is essential when it comes to creating music rather than having to guess where the song is heading and how to resolve a melody.
By using different modes you can take a song from an uplifting feeling to a sad and dark one. In the following example, I will just take a single key, play around with it, and you will be able to hear when the new mode kicks in.
Ionian
Aeolian
Phrygian dominant
Mixolydian
This is how it sounds
There is much more to scales and modes than what we covered in this course, as our goal is not to learn theory in order to create successful songs and become a successful musician. However, the material we have covered is sufficient for creating hits and becoming successful.
In the show-off section of this course, you will find a number of guitar techniques covering scales and modes that have been covered in this lesson, as well as techniques that have not been discussed in this lesson.
With every step you make forward, you will gradually learn more about them, when the right time comes and you feel that you might be able to expand on what you already know and understand.
In my experience, learning more about the modes, variations, scales and degrees will ultimately lead you into the so called theory trap. It is quite fascinating on the surface, but it is a trap in reality, which keeps you wanting to find out as much as you can about them.
A modern hit song does not require much to become a hit. The more education we receive, the more we believe that success will follow because of our theoretical knowledge alone. This is not true.
…let me be clear that I am not suggesting that you stop learning, but that you should proceed with caution. The information we have covered in this lesson will provide you with enough to dive into creating music and learn more as you progress.
Thumbs up when you're done with this task
Trust The Process
English 
Español