Tw0 & Three Octave Major Scale Patterns
The major scale is the most commonly taught and practised scale in Western music. It's not surprising as most Western music is in major keys. The two scale patterns below are very useful for practicing this scale type. The first pattern gives you a full two octaves within any single fretboard position, while the second pattern requires three position shifts but gives you three octaves above your starting note. Each pattern is moveable meaning you can start on any 6th string fret and play any major scale from there. To keep strictly within the pattern, though, the lowest you can play (with standard tuning) is F sharp major (or G flat major) on fret 2. That's because if you start from fret 1, you'd be playing open strings for some notes, which would change the pattern. The highest fretboard position can start from depends on the highest fret that you have on your guitar. The 2-octave pattern has a span of only four frets, while the 3-octave pattern needs a span of 14 frets.
The changes of colour in the three-octave version indicate a change of fretboard position. The numbers shown are fretting hand fingers. Keep to one finger per fret for practice purposes.
The changes of colour in the three-octave version indicate a change of fretboard position. The numbers shown are fretting hand fingers. Keep to one finger per fret for practice purposes.
Practise the scales in both ascending and descending order. They are useful for improving finger dexterity as well as developing a stronger sense of tonality. If you use a pick (plectrum) to play the notes, use alternating up and down strokes. If you use fingers, alternate your index (i) and middle (m) fingers for each successive note. Don't use your thumb at all and don't use the same finger twice in a row. A more advanced form of picking taught in classical guitar also uses your ring finger (a) in patterns such as i, m, a or i, m, a, m.