A GUIDE TO
UNDERSTANDING
GUITAR "THEORY" ©

LESSON FIVE

(This lesson is wordy, but reading it through a time or two will make the EXAMPLES understandable. Some things are easy to "Understand" after the fact, but rather hard to explain without the teacher present. Stay with me as much as you can, and just trust me on this one. )

... AND NOW, PLAYING A "MAJOR SCALE"

 

Once again WE will assume that you know nothing about SCALES. I will therefore simplify it for you as best as I can.

When you BEGIN to learn Scales, unfortunately, there are too many variations for you to learn all of them right away, so you need at least to learn the BASICS, such as:

Major ( Maj. ) uses the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 scale degrees

Accompanying CHORD : 1st, 3rd, and 5th degrees will be emphasized..

 

minor ( m ) uses the 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8 scale degrees

Accompanying CHORD : 1st, b3rd, and 5th degrees will be emphasized..

(There are actually 3 naturally occurring minor Scales, we are only concerned with the "NATURAL" minor for now.)

 

augmented ( + ) uses the 1 2 3 4 #5 6 7 8 scale degrees

Accompanying CHORD : 1st, 3rd, and #5th degrees will be emphasized.. and,

 

diminished ( � ) uses the 1 2 b3 4 b5 6 7 8 scale degrees

Accompanying CHORD : 1st, b3rd, and b5th degrees will be emphasized...

 

Symbols contained in ( ) above represent the "written" symbol for the specific given Scale, i.e.,

C Maj. (Typically, "Major" keys SYMBOLS are "understood" and seldom actually "written" out.)

C m

C +

C �

( I chose "C" for simplicity, but any key could have been selected as you will see. It will make no difference which KEY you select when doing these THEORY exercises on guitar� only one fingering for each of our "modes" as opposed to a NEW fingering for every key on other instruments ! )

 

And, as you begin to learn NEW and different MODES and the notes they contain (..there are seven basic modes, such as Ionian, Dorian, etc., but that's a much later lesson), you WILL need to be able to play them in ALL keys. Eventually. That's where this particular THEORY will come in handy. Just learn it in the order presented for best results.

 

Our FIRST Scale will be concentrating is the "MAJOR" Scale.

AND, the SIMPLEST "MAJOR" Scale I know, has an easy FINGERING too ! This requires using only one finger per fret, i.e.,

The 1st finger plays ONLY one fret (whatever fret it happens to be on),

2nd finger plays ONLY one fret (the next in line, etc.),

3rd plays ONLY one fret,

4th plays ONLY one fret).

(A SIDE NOTE HERE: In the case of GUITAR fingering, the thumb is NOT considered a NUMBER, therefore the finger numbers are:
    1. Index
    2. Middle
    3. Ring finger
    4. Pinky

(and, THE RULE BREAKER� although NOT considered a NUMBER, the thumb is still used in some instances. Robin Trower uses the thumb extensively, as did Stevie Ray Vaughan.)

 

BEGINNING SCALE EXAMPLES:

FIRST:

Learn the following "vocal" (or mental) pattern: just the words of the pattern, no touching the guitar. After learning this, continue to the next section.

Repeat these NUMBERS to yourself �

2 - 4 , 1 - 2 - 4 , 1 - 3 - 4

COMMIT THIS TO MEMORY ! I SUGGEST YOU SAY IT "OUT LOUD" OVER AND OVER UNTIL YOU KNOW IT

(Fortunately, you will only need to "learn" this ONCE (for life) , and you will save yourself a lot of time when we get to the CHORD THEORY section.)

 

NEXT:

Starting on OUR first DOT "C" with the SECOND (2nd) FINGER LEARN THE FOLLOWING PATTERN:

 

notice that the finger #'s above "line up" if played correctly

 

Playing the "Finger Numbers" :

To accomplish the pattern above, play the following example.

Start by placing your 2nd finger on the 5th string , 3rd fret. Now PLAY the note using a "down stroke".

Then, the 4th finger on the 5th string (same string) , 5th fret, using ONE finger per fret. Now PLAY the note using another "down stroke". Continue likewise for the next 2 strings.

(Remember.. the fingers should fall NATURALLY on the frets, AND always covering ONLY a "total" of 4 frets for these first exercises.)

 

Next, place your 1st finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret.

Then place your 2nd finger on the 4th string 3rd fret.

Then, your 4th finger on the 4th string 5th fret.

 

Lastly, place your 1st finger on the 3rd string 2nd fret,

Your 3rd finger on the 3rd string, 4th fret,

Your 4th finger on the 3rd string, 5th fret.

 

THIS SCALE SHOULD CONTAIN THE "SOUND" OF A "C" MAJOR SCALE, IF YOU ARE PLAYING IT CORRECTLY!

( In case you are wondering, It's the "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do" scale.)

Please check fingering often to be sure you are right, AND play this SCALE front to back, then back to front until you KNOW you know it.

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW!

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