In this post, I elaborate on the basic major and minor scales, and then tell you how to modify and practice scales, which form an essential part of any musical composition.
Let’s not waste any time.
The above is the A Major and A Minor scale. Play them, and you will notice a distinct difference between the way they sound. For those who have no musical knowledge, just know that a minor scale sounds more ‘sad’.
However, as you can see, the notes aren’t that different. You can probably spot the changes yourself.
Also note that you can move the entire pattern up to any starting fret. Meaning that you cold as easily start in a different key, say on the 6th instead of the 5th fret, and then the next note would be the 8th fret, then 10th fret.
Basically, as long as the interval between the notes (ie: the number of frets between each note on the scales) remains the same, the scale will sound harmonised.
Of course, you aren’t limited to a specific range, and the above is simply the same scale played at a higher pitch, specifically one octave (8 notes higher) higher. Notice that I just added 12 frets to the original fret number. This is because 12 frets = 12 semitones = 1 octave. An Octave differences basically sounds the same note, but at a higher pitch. It also works the other way around, meaning 12 semitones lower is an octave lower.
But that’s not that important, at least for the practical aspect of it. What is important is to keep on playing the scales and to memorise the patterns.
But then each string on the guitar is separated by a specific number of semitones. What this means is that you can play the same scale using a different set of strings as shown above.
You can mix and create any combination of notes from the notes in the scale.
The above example shows a pattern in the ascending part of the scale.
However, when we come down, you notice that the fret numbers seem quite different. This is basically just playing the scale in a different way. The notes are essentially exactly the same.
The difference, is in the fingering used and the position of the notes being played. In this case, the right hand descending scale is obviously played on the lower frets (higher on the fretboard) and while it doesn’t really make a difference, some people may have a preference to playing in this area versus at the 5-9th fret region.
And here is just another random pattern which I created off the top of my head in 5 seconds.
The rule is: As long as the notes used are the same, any pattern that fits into the beat of the music can be used
In this case, I used the most basic 4 beat crotchet rhythm.
Then again, what you should do is to experiment and just keep practicing. The key is to drill in the patterns into your finger ‘memory’ and thus make it second nature to yourself.
However, I will recommend strongly that you practice the first 2 basic forms of the major and minor scale religiously.
If not, anything goes. But be sure to get the practice in, the more you practice, the more you will be familiar with the forms.
At the same time, Experiment like Crazy! Go up, go down, twist it here, twist it there, create funny patterns, whatever..
I trust that you have listened to enough music to know if your scale sounds harmonised. If you’re in doubt, always revert to the scales presented by other people and other resources, but never ever think that there is a fixed way to learn scaling. The only way is through practice.
So just, to show you what this looks like in Practice, here is a short snippet of one my original songs. “Why?”
And Here is the Score for that section:
As you can see, I simply chain various scales together, often at random, and then iron out the gaps in between to create a nice chain.
Alright then, get to practicing!
I hope that this post has inspired you to be creative with your practice, If anything, at least you got to listen to some free music!
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