The C major Scale - 1st Position Guitar Lesson
The C major Scale - 1st Position
It's time to learn your first scale - the C major scale in first position. Mark also explains how the major scale is constructed.
Taught by Mark Brennan in Basic Electric Guitar seriesLength: 21:31Difficulty: 1.5 of 5
Lesson Objectives
-Learn how the natural notes from the previous lesson are used to form the C major scale.
-Explore the theoretical concepts pertaining to the major scale and its construction.
-Apply the C major scale pattern to some practical musical exercises. Chapter 2: (03:56) Construction of the Major Scale As you advance as a guitarist, you will learn numerous scales. Around fifty scales are covered in the JamPlay Scale Library. However, the major scale is the most commonly used scale in Western music. The vast majority of melodies and chord progressions are derived from this scale. For this reason, it is the first scale that Mark will explore in this lesson series.
Pattern of Whole and Half Steps
The feature that separates a scale from all other scales is its distinct pattern of whole steps and half steps. A half step is the distance between any two notes in the chromatic scale or any two adjacent frets on the guitar. A whole step is equal to two half steps or two frets on the guitar. The distance between each pair of notes within a scale is measured in these intervals. When this measurement system is applied to the major scale, the following pattern results: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.
The C major scale is spelled as follows: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. It is easiest to remember where the half steps occur within the scale, since there are fewer of them. The half steps occur between E and F as well as B and C.
All major scales follow the same pattern of whole steps and half steps. As a result, you can spell any major scale if you know the starting pitch and this pattern. Chapter 3: (03:24) The C Major Scale in 1st Position Note: Before you continue with this scene, you must have the locations of all the natural notes in first position memorized. Review these note locations at this time if necessary.
Playing the C Major Scale
As you first begin to practice scales, it is always a good idea to begin each scale with the root note. The root note is the note that names the scale. In this case, the root of a C major scale is the note C. From the root note, ascend all the way up to the highest note within the pattern. This note is A, located at the 5th fret of the first string. Then, descend down to the lowest note available in the pattern ( the open sixth string). Finally, ascend the pattern back up to the root note that you started with. Starting and ending scales on the root note creates a definite sense of finality.
Once you have memorized the C major scale, play it in time with a metronome. Make sure that all of the notes sound smooth and connected. Watch Mark in the lesson video for a clear performance example. Chapter 4: () The C Major Scale in Thirds The Importance of Scales
Scales are the building blocks of all music. Important music theory concepts such as chord relationships and melodic construction are all derived from scales. Scales are the basis for all melodies, chord progressions, and guitar solos.
Playing C Major in Thirds
Open the document entitled "C Major in First Position" listed under the "Supplemental Content" tab. The scale exercise discussed in this scene begins in measure 19 immediately after the double bar line.
This exercise begins with the root note. The second note of the scale is skipped. Instead, the third note of the scale is played. Then, the exercise returns to the second note. This sequential pattern continues throughout the remainder of the exercise. Playing a scale in such a fashion will increase your overall awareness of where notes specific notes are located within the pattern.
As usual, practice this exercise with a metronome. Set the metronome to a moderately slow tempo such as 70 beats per minute. Then, play through the exercise in a steady half note rhythm. It's perfectly acceptable to set the metronome to a slower tempo if necessary. Speed is of no concern at this point. Focus on playing clearly, accurately, and in time. Chapter 5: (04:11) Time to Improvise Once you have memorized a scale, it is important to exercise your own creativity with it. Begin to create your own basic melodies using notes from the C major scale in first position. Do not be intimidated by this process! Feel free to explore any available possibilities within the scale. Try to develop simple, tuneful phrases at first. Experiment with various melodic leaps to discover what sounds pleasing to your ears. Mark provides a demonstration of this creative exercise at 00:46 in the lesson video. Chapter 6: (01:19) Lesson Wrap-up Lesson Recap
Over the next few weeks, continue to practice the exercises presented in this lesson. Make sure that you understand the whole and half step construction of the major scale. If you find this music theory information, feel free to write in to Mark for some additional help.
Also, do not neglect exercises demonstrated in previous lessons. Continue to practice the right hand accuracy exercises as a part of your daily warm-up routine.
Preview of Next Lesson
In the following lesson, Mark will demonstrate how to play your first two chords. He will explain how these chords are constructed and how to accurately change from one chord to the next.
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Electric Guitar
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsMark's Phase 1 series will take you through the basics of playing electric guitar.
Lesson 1
Series Intro - Guitar Parts and Tuning
Mark introduces his Phase 1 series and covers some fundamental electric guitar basics.
Length: 30:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Amplification
Mark provides a detailed overview of amplification. This lesson has some great info for any electric player.
Length: 33:55 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Using Tablature and Learning the Fretboard
Before we start rocking, Mark goes over some tools and training necessary to every beginning guitarist.
Length: 12:52 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Right Hand Technique
It's time to get some sound out of your guitar. Mark begins with picking hand technique.
Length: 31:34 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Left Hand Technique
Mark explains proper left hand technique from the ground up.
Length: 10:36 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Natural Notes in the 1st Position
Mark teaches you all of the natural notes played in first position. He uses two classic melodies to supplement this information.
Length: 25:42 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The C major Scale - 1st Position
It's time to learn your first scale - the C major scale in first position. Mark also explains how the major scale is constructed.
Length: 21:31 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Chords in C major - Part 1
Mark covers 7 basic chords in the key of C major.
Length: 35:14 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Chords in C major - Part 2
Mark expands on chords in C major by showing full forms of the chords you learned in Part 1. He also teaches you the chord progression to a familiar tune.
Length: 25:00 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Power Chord Primer
It's time to start making some noise by using power chords and palm muting. Mark gives you the framework to start rocking the 12 bar blues in a basic I-IV-V progression.
Length: 36:43 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 11
Open Position Minor Pentatonic
Take your knowledge of the notes in the first position and start jamming on a simple pentatonic riff.
Length: 14:34 Difficulty: 1.0 FREE
Blues Scale Basics with Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs, and Vibrato
Let's build on lesson 11 with an extended discussion of the pentatonic scale. For lesson 12, we'll simply add one note to the pentatonic scale to give us the famous blues scale. We'll also discuss new...
Length: 36:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Movable Power Chords
Mark explains how to finger power chords and how they can be moved anywhere on the fretboard. He also shows an exercise that will help you remember the name of each power chord.
Length: 16:28 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Rhythmic Notation Part 1
Mark Brennan explains rhythmic notation, tempos, time signatures, note values, and more in this lesson.
Length: 32:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Key Of G Major
Mark explores the key of G major in this lesson. He covers the first position pattern of the scale and explains how it can be harmonized in thirds.
Length: 33:22 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Chords Of G Major
Mark teaches the basic chords of G major as well as some other exercises to get you acquainted with this key.
Length: 34:28 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Key Of D Major
Mark explains the basics of D major.
Length: 25:00 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Chords In D Major
Mark takes you through the chords of D major and explains some new ones that you haven't encountered yet.
Length: 35:00 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
More Movable Power Chords & The Circle Of Fifths
Mark continues his discussion of power chords. This time around, he explains the circle of 5ths and demonstrates some power chord progressions that illustrate this concept.
Length: 33:18 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Movable Minor Pentatonic Scale
Mark teaches the 1st box of the minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 32:31 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
The Minor Blues Scale Transposed To A
Mark explains how you can transpose the pentatonic pattern covered in lesson 20 to the key of A minor. He also shows the "lower extension box" and "home plate box."
Length: 26:09 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Blues Boogie Shuffle
Mark teaches the difference between straight eighth notes and the shuffle feel.
Length: 42:33 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Amplification Part Two
In response to member requests, Mark added another amplification lesson to his growing phase 1 series. In this lesson, he compares 3 classes of amps from entry level models all the way to a Mesa Mark V.
Length: 40:45 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Introduction To Improvisation
In this lesson, Mark teaches some blues licks that can be used when improvising over a 12 bar blues progression.
Length: 24:01 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Key Of A Minor
Mark covers the key of A minor.
Length: 29:36 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About Mark Brennan
View Full Biography
Mark Brennan, born August 12th, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio, began playing guitar at the age of 10. His first influences were from the Ventures and the British Invasion, especially the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Shortly afterwards he was playing in rock bands with his brother on drums, developing his ear by learning songs straight from records. Playing in a band became a passion.
In high school, he grew to love acoustic and classical guitar. He spent time playing acoustic music, influenced by The Eagles, CSN, Dan Folgelberg, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, etc. In the 70's, he headed a very popular Cleveland band, The Brennan-Cosma Band, which played a variety of acoustic and rock music, along with originals. He also took up classicalguitar, and began developing his fingerstyle technique.
Mark is a graduate of Cleveland State University (1980), with a Bachelor of Music in Classical guitar performance. He also studied Music Composition, and took many Music Education classes. After graduation, he began his private teaching career, teaching electric, acoustic, and classical guitar, along with music theory. He taught in various studios and guitar shops throughout his career, and currently has a private practice at his home in
Fairview Park, Ohio.
In the 80's Mark took an affection to Progressive rock. With his band Polyphony, he was influenced by the music of Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, Styx, along with a set of prog rock originals.
Currently, Mark is in the regionally successful Pink Floyd tribute band Wish You Were Here. The band performs faithful renderings of the Floyd classics spanning their entire catalog, along with a strong visual stage show. Here, Mark displays his command of the David Gilmour style.
Mark is excited to be part of JamPlay.com's fine roster of teachers. He's looking forward to extending his 35 years of performing and teaching experience to the JamPlay members. His philosophy is about developing a passion for guitar and being the best musician you can be; being true to yourself and developing a personal style, and truly expressing your heart through your music.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.So the C major scale uses only natural notes, so there's not much here that we didn't already learn in the last lesson except now we know what a scale is. I guess that's important. So when playing the C major scale are you always suppose to begin with the C note? I think for many begins one of the most difficult things, well for me at least, was understanding the importance of scales and chords. But now I feel like I'm starting to get it.
Mark just a quick Thanks! on putting together great lessons. I believe I've found a good "parking" space to nurse all the lessons so far. Just a quick question....What is a good bpm on the Metronome to achieve on the scales to move on to the next lesson (in a more or less fashion)? I know I'm going to be on perma-practice mode, I just wanted to know what a comfortable number to hit for. Thanks again!
Hey Mark, First and foremost I must say that you are a very thorough yet somewhat sneaky at the same time (a Master) of how you approach your steps from lesson to lesson. As I am very new to playing guitar (2 weeks) I was very unsure of where Lesson #3,4,5 and 6 were taking me. I have been basically been working as far forward without forgetting the basics from previous lessons. However when I had a look at lesson 7, became intimidated left the lesson. Had a good sleep went back the next day and this is where the MUD turned to Crystal clear water. Just the way you laid out all the previous steps of your lessons lets a student actually see all the theory behind what you are teaching. So to wrap all this rambling up You are Very Good (Master Mark) and I promise to follow your every step that you teach in every lesson. Huge Cu-do's to you. My question is: I have been working on several lessons kinda constantly working on 3 to 4 lessons at a time is this productive or counter productive? It's been working for me thus far. just to explain why I do this is because it actually lets me see the direction i am headed and gives me incentive to carry on Not give up because I actually see and hear lots of progress. So I guess I just basically answered my own Question didn't I. Best regards Master From Daniel-son wax on wax off hehehe. It's also nice to see a more relaxed and humorous (Mark) as the lessons progress Rock On... \\m//
This might help in the C Major Scales in thirds, look at the tabulature and write down all the notes on a piece of paper and play looking at the notes you wrote instead of just use the tab as crutch. A good way to remember your notes.
Mark, I started guitar when I was 7 years old and played for 7 years and its been a while since i've picked up my guitar. I'm starting fresh again and now i can't remember why i stopped playing! So I just wanted to say thank you and youre an awesome teacher!
Hi Mark, I have just started your course yesterday (sunday in Sydney) and I am really enjoying the fact that I am now learning the guitar as opposed to just playing chords and songs. I have been playing since I was a kid but didn't really take the time to actually have tuition. I have been playing the C major scale for years but it was only tonight that I really got the bug to learn many of the other scales that are no doubt heading my way. Your a great teacher. Thanks a lot for your time and energy. Glenn Sydney Australia
why do you need a scale? and i did not really understand this lesson
Learn "Over The Rainbow" in lesson 6.....
Hey Alek.......a scale is a tool to build melodies and chords off of. With the C Major scale, you can learn and invent melodies in the Key of C.......learn a simple melody, or better yet, invent (write) a melody of your own, and see if you can put chords in the key of C to accompany the melody....that's basically what it's all about....Hope this makes sense.....Mark B.
Thanks Glen..my daughter just finished a semester of school in Australia...talk to ya soon..Mark
Your lessons on here have kept me interested in learning guitar. My rocker hubby and I thank you. :)
The C scale in thirds has been giving me fits all week. But after patience and daily practice I finally am able to set the metronome to 80 and play in eighth notes. Major accomplishment for me, just thought I would share. Thanks for the great lessons, Mark. :-)
Great job Karl! Keep at it....patience and perserverance.
Mark, thanks so much for explaining this in such detail. My brain isn't the fastest when it comes to music theory, and your explanations helped a lot! Best of all, while playing around with the C-major scale, I discovered one of my favorite songs (Harvester Of Sorrow) is in that scale, and could play it only by listening to the notes instead of looking at the tab. Thanks again!
Mark, some things just cry out for a comment and your teaching style is it. It's the best I've ever had. You start slowly and build while explaining all the way. I'll follow everything you put up on Jamplay. Thanks so very much.
Hey Mark. Maybe a dumb question but which B is the correct one to pick (if it matters). The open B string or the G string 4th frett? It took me a few minutes to figure out I was playing them both and throwing off my scale. LOL
for this lesson, use the open second string B.
so just getting this straight.... the first position is the first four frets of every string?
Yes, you are correct. A position goes all the way across the neck (on every string). The position number is the fret which your first finger is on.
Mark, Thank you for yor great teaching stly. I have learned a lot already but, I'm having a hard time seeing the difference between the C major scale in the 1st position and the natural position. From what i am getting from the lessons so far is any scale is basically the same with the name of the scal being the root note but the order of the notes stays the same with the natural 1/2 steps between B and C as well as F and and G. Is this correct? thanks in advance.
Sorry, I meant to say I can't tell the difference between the C major Scale and the Natural notes in the 1st position....
Ooops.....did it again...half steps are B to C, and E to F...sorry.
Another screw up on my part.....natural 1/2 step btween B and C and E and F, not F and G.
one string requires you to go only up 4 notes right?
If you go up four half steps, starting at 1st fret, the next half step up would be the note of the next open string up...so the fifth fret on the low E, is the same pitch as the open 5(A). The exception is the 3(G): the fourth fret is B, same as 2(B). Hope this answers your question.
one more question, how do you get the notes for the 6th string? how do you know theyre in the c major scale?
Check out lesson 3 and learn the notes on the low 6E string. All the natural notes and contained in the C Major scale. The root C, is on the 8th fret. You can begin building the scale from the the eighth fret C.
is there an error at 03:08? you go from b to f? shouldnt it be b to c?
Yes. That was my bad.,,I meant to say C. Thanks for the heads-up
Mark is awesome and the reason I signed up - but it looks like he is not longer with Jamplay? :(
No...I'm still on the site...check out my Phase 3 lesson, "Bad Moon Rising"....recently posted......Mark B.
I must to say that the improvisation with C major scale is till now the most funny exercise in phase one. I am really glad that I have started to play guitar with jamplay, because I have professional leading step by step and fun together. Thank you Mark ,]
Great way to teach
Finest web site in the universe. After decades of trying to do it on my own, I broke down and got an EJ Stratocaster and joined the site. I am extremely glad I chose this series to start out. Thanks Mark. I'm on my way to mastering the fretboard.
Mark, Thanks for teaching so thoroughly and at a really easy pace to follow! I tried playing guitar as a kid but the lessons I took were not fun and I really wasn't shown much so I stopped playing. You really make this fun! I recently inherited my Grandfathers 61 Gretsch and i want to carry on the tradition so here I am! I am having some troubles following this lesson. The tab given does not show the notes you are hitting lower on the fretboard(or am I wrong) Should I be using the fretboard diagram from the tab lesson to figure out the scale here? Any help is greatly appreciated as I am a beginner and have no real background in music at all
never mind! I see it is in the first position and you were just showing the whole construction!
Thx Mark but I found a very hard time to name the frets, especially those on D, G and B strings. For E and A strings its easier because of the experience of playing power chords. I need a better methodology... what do you suggest?
Excelent playing Mark! very good lesson.
Mark, I'm really admiring the smoothness of your playing. As someone who aspires to acquire that same characteristic in his own playing, who would you recommend I listen to for inspiration? Of course David Gilmour is one, but I was wondering about any others that you are particularly impressed with. Thanks! Really enjoying your lessons!
Thanks Tim....I've always loved the playing of Steve Howe, Alex Lifeson back in my prog rock days. With the acoustic, I've always admire James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Glen Frey (Eagles). Lately I'm really diggin John Mayer's playing. Dave Mathews is incredible. Recently I watched a Steve Vai video with the guys in my band, and was totally floored. It's truly amazing what he does with an electric guitar......lot's of great players out there to emulate, that's for sure.
Hey Mark Why can,t on the supplemental charts next to the numbers , you guys put the note that number represents. I believe that would help us rookies learn what each number means faster . Just a thought . Thanks Dennis
Just wanted to compliment your style of teaching , very easy to learn . At the oldies but goodies age of 62 and played around at playing for many many years thought it was time to learn the right way from someone who knows what there doing . Keep up the great work and to Jamplay great site for guitar players ( seasoned or not). Catch ya later
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the lessons..Stayed tuned for more great stuff....Mark B.
i am very confused, as in I understand the scale, till you go to the next octave, you play string 2 fret 1, or C i guess, then u play string 2 fret 3, wich is D right? but you call it F in the video. It confuses me cause I don't understand were you get F, and it don't follow the scale C D E F G A B C
ok, I think I figured it out, It goes C D E F G A B C (Octive) C D E.... and so on right? And in the video you don't say F you say A, wich still is out of order. I can play the scale, not fast but I can play it, the third on the other hand I have to look at the tabs lol
the printed scale below your lesson on the c scale does not show the notes you are talking about for the c scale in tab can you put this on for those of us that are still a little fuzzy on this
The supplemental content for this lesson has both standard notation and tablature.....chek out my lesson on reading tab along with my rhythmic notation lesson....Mark B.
does it matter what fingers you use going down the scale?
In first position, the general "rule of thumb" would be to use the index on the first fret, use your middle on the second fret, ring finger on the third, pinky on the fourth and to stretch to the fifthe fret.
Mark, I am new at guitar, and old dog (64) trying to learn new tricks. I love your lessons. You're a gifted teacher. I've been developing computer software for many years. JamPlay is the best example I know that uses many different modern technologies with elegance: it is a tremendously useful example of best practices, not only in music but in software design and execution. I just want to encourage you and the developers of JamPlay. Tremendous job!
Thanks Jon....the folks at Jamplay do a great job on the website, and I'm proud to be a part of it.....Mark B.
Thanks a lot Mark. I think this is really the best pace and content for beginners. Lots of useful information and exercises.
I'm confused.. On scene 3 what note do we start off with?
Never mind.. I'm confused on the whole Scene 3...
I'm understanding the scale as the two c's and everything in between is that right?
The C is the "tonic" note, or the first note of the C Major scale. D is the second note, E is the third, and so on. When you return to C, You're back at the tonic, or first note again, only an octave (eight notes) higher.
One thing that helps me a lot, is the following formula for any major scale: whole whole half whole whole whole half C D E F G A B C As long as we have these interval respected, it's a major scale. According to which key is played, you might add sharp or flat.
im really confused with this lesson. i dont understand what the scale is
A scale is simply a series of notes with a particular arangement of whole steps and half steps. Check out scene two again. Hopeflully this concept will sink in.....let me know if this clears up your confusion....Mark B.
Thanks Mark. Good lesson. Here's what I don't get. Why are their only half steps from B to C and E to F? Seems like our lives would be a lot easier if music was set up with only whole steps. Also, what do a high E and a low E have in common that say a high E and low D do not? I'm struggling with the significance of octaves. Thanks. Will
I really appreciate your style. I do think it very helpful to say the note names out loud while you are fingering them and I see for the first time how a song is created out of scales. The light goes on. Very excited about your delivery and the content. Mike
also visualize it this way, for example, you start playing the natural scale on C, then as you star GOING thRu the notes, meaning C,D, E,F,G,A,B, " C ". you already completed ALL the circle and you ended up again on C right, but it is a higher pitch C, also known as an Octave....because the notes are onlly 7 (C,D,E,F,G,A,B) AND THE EIGHT ONE ITS " C "AGAIN, THE SAME NOTE YOU STARTED WITH, hope this helps.....
Hey William...these are hard concepts to grasp. E to F, and B to C are what we call the "natural" half steps. On a piano keyboard, there is no black key between these two pair of notes. In a major scale, there are half steps between the 3rd and 4th notes, and the 7th and 8th (octave) notes. In C major, these are E to F, and B to C. After working with a major scale, you begin to recognize it by ear, and you can hear where these half steps occur in the scale. Hope this helps. If you think of a note as a "frequency" or beats per second, then a note which is twice that frequency is an octave (or eight notes) higher. A note which is half the frequency is an octave lower.
Thanks a lot Mark. I was looking for something like this for a long time, this will help really a lot.
Hi Mark!, are w going to learn the other positions of the natural scale over the fretboard, or just this first????.....
Mark, I have enjoyed your lessons and have found them to answer many questions that I have had over the years. They have also helped me to correct some habits that have hindered my learning ability. In lesson 7 in the natural notes supplemental items under the Natural Notes in First Position. I have noticed that under the tab lines there are sometimes circles with numbers around them. What does this indicate. Also I noticed that the first note of this tablature is in a square. Does this have any significance or is it maybe a misprint.
The circled numbers indicate left hand fingering....the square is the cursor for the Gutar Pro program and has no significance...Mark B.
Hey Mark, Adrian here. Having a really hard time grasping the concept of thirds in the fourth scene of this lesson. Right after I think I was beginning to understand the musical alphabet along the neck of the guitar, I ran into this lesson and the whole "thirds" thing threw me off. What do you mean by thirds? I can read the tabs in the supp. content all day but I won't understand what the concept of playing in "thirds" is. Think you could clarify that a bit? Thanks!
Hey Adrian....a third is a musical interval (the distance between two notes). They can be played together (harmonic interval), or in sequence, as in a melody (melodic Interval). A third would be two note names apart. So C to E is a third, D to F, E to G, F to A, and so on. Some of these are two whole steps apart (a major third), and some are a whole step plus a half (minor third). In this lesson I break down the C major scale in thirds. Starting on C you go to E, so you've skipped one note making it a melodoc third. Then we go back to the D and proceed to F. This pattern continues, and then decends in a similar fashion.....hope this clears things up for you. Mark B.
Hey Mark, that REALLY clears things up. Thanks for replying really fast too!
Hi Mark Love your lessons Do you think you could post Love Story(taylor swift) as a song on Level 3???
Hi Mark...As one of your older students(56), I am really enjoying the start with the basics lessons. I am re-learning some fundamentals that I had forgotten and dropping a few bad habits picked up along the way. I haven't checked yet, but do you do any of the song lessons featured on Jamplay? I love to here you break down a Pink Floyd tune...Rich V.
Hey Rich....check out Phase 3...I've taught Time, Wish You Were Here, Dogs....for your Floydian pleasure.
Awesome lesson! i feel really confident now!
Mark, good lesson!!, I have a question about the wwhwwwh step, is this step used in one string or we can skip from string to string in order to follow it?
Hey Felipe...great to hear from you. When you play a major scale up the fretboard on one string, it's easy to "vsiualize" the contruction, and to get a feel for how the whole steps and half steps fall. Plus this helps you to learn the notes along that string. You can do this on any string, too. Just take the root (tonic) note on any string (start low on the fretboard), and play the scale WWHWWWH. Now it's best to learn these scales in one position, as in the C Mjaor scale in 1st position presented in this lesson. You can see how easy and smooth it is to play a scale like this.....by the way, I love the pictures on your profile page...beautiful! Talk to ya soon....Mark B.
I am having a hard time understanding the concept of thirds. In the exercise, ( if I am correct) you were skipping notes. You started out in c went to e then d then f. Can you explain it better? Thanks Chris
Hi Christian...sorry i didn't get right back to you on this. You were correct that we are skipping notes. A Third is an interval, or a distance between two notes. A third is a note two letter names above, or below another note. So C to E is a third, D to F is a third, and so on. The way I present the third in this lesson is what we call a melodic third, where the two notes are played one after the other. If you play the two together, it is called a harmonic third. Try playing the C and E together, and you can hear what a harmonic third sounds like. It is important for a student to train the ear to be able to recognize the different intervals, either melodically, or harmonically. This is all part of music theory, and ear training.
Wow! Mark this is a whole new world! I am enjoying myself tremendously. If I knew that playing lead would be this fun, I would have left the bass a long - long time ago. But, I got to give credit where credit is due. It was all in the delivery. the way it is presented, by a gifted teacher, and that you are, Thanks... For anyone who reads this lst it be known that Mark Brennan is an awesome teacher. Jamplay rocks... Bob
Greetings Mark, I learned the scales using a Mel Bay book and they are different from those in your lesson. Is there a difference & does it matter? - Reach
Hi Michael....The C Major in first position in this lesson is the same material presented in the Mel Bay method, book 1. Of course, C Major appears all the way up the neck in different positions with different fingerings, which the student learns along the way. You probably learned it in a different with a different fingering, buts it's still the same scale....you've just opened up more available areas of the neck to play it, with more range of notes too.
Mark, Thanks - I like the options. Reach
Mark...I just wrapped up the ninth leason and I am a lot more comfortable playing single notes and chords. This was great stuff and I enjoyed your approach to teaching...very effective. I practice daily at this point and was wondering if you are posting any more leasons. Thanks again man!! Hope to see more of your stuff soon.
Hi Mark, got a good question for you. I was wondering if in scales we can play any notes randomly while improvising? I think no. So it lead me to ask you, while improvising do we have to repect the wwhwwwh step thing? thank you
Hi Eric...good question. What you need to respect is the chord of the moment which you are playing over. You need to be aware of the chord and hopefully the notes of the chord to make a good choice of notes. With a C chord the notes C,E,G will work. For the F chord, the notes F,A,C will work. When playing over a progression in C major, you really aren't going to play too many bad notes with the C major scale, or C major Pentatonic (the 1, 2 ,3, 5, 6 of the Major scale). But not all notes will work...like the F note over a C chord, unless used in a short duration as a passing note...Try jamming over a C major progression, and let your ear be your guide.
Mark, A quick thank you. I have gone through many of the lessons on Jamplay...all good...and I learned something from each. You have communicated well with me and have given me some basics ..hand position...etc that will help ne past some flat spots in my learning...I will have to relearn some things I have been doing incorrectly. Practice is great but practicing bad habits is counter productive. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more. Ron Rieth, formerly from Avon Lake..
Mark, I'm, as you guys put it, an absolute beginner. I purchased my guitar a number of years ago and started lessons with a long haired "English Chap" who was a great guitar player but a hopeless teacher. Where he lost me was at the 'scales' phase. He never did explain to me WHY they exist and HOW they help me play. All I want to do initially is to learn a couple of songs (that others will recoginise) and maintain my enthusiasm. I certainly intend to continue learning as much as I can however it would be great to be able to have something to show for the hours of practice. Perhaps you can give me a brief outline as to why I spend hours practicing the scales and maybe suggest a couple of tunes that I can work on to "give me hope". Barry
Hey Barry...sorry it took a while to get back to you on this. Learning scales on a guitar is important, because they are the material that melodies are written with, and for improvisation, or "jamming". So as you learn scales, you should be playing simple melodies, so that the scales aren't just execises, but now they become real music. So I would try to learn to play simple, recognizable tunes, like "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" so you can have the enjoyment of playing music. There are a lot of beginner lesson books (Mel Bay, Hal Leonard, etc.) which have many easy single note melodies that you can learn. There are also lesson series on Jamplay where teachers teach simple stuff Then, try learning a simple pentatonic (try E minor pentatonic) and start to get a feel for playing the blues, it's nto too hard, and a lot of fun. Try writing your own melodies with the scales you've learned. Nothin like getting the creative juices flowing. Hope this helps. Let me know....stay in touch. Mark B.
Hey Mark, thanks for the inspiration. I watched your free lesson and decided to sign up. I purchased my guitar a year ago and I've only fiddled with it so far (learned the intro to a Nirvana song that I loved from when I was a teenager ... and that was about it). My wife is tired of hearing that song every time I pick up the guitar, so I figured it was about time to take another look at JamPlay. When I first came across this site a year ago I remember that I didn't really connect with any of the instructors. Nothing about their free lessons "spoke" to me. When I looked again tonight I saw your free lesson and felt a bit inspired, and so I signed up. I've gone through all 7 lessons (I still need to practice a lot, but I've got the gist of everything so far). However, I'm having trouble figuring out where the next set of lessons are located. Have you recorded them yet? I see a lot of other basic lessons, but none of them are by you. Just wondering where to find the next lessons (or when to expect them if they aren't posted yet). Thanks for providing the extra nudge I needed to sign up and get started. My wife will be so excited that I've learned something new, even if it is only "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"!
Hi Tyler....and welcome to Jamplay! I have just filmed 4 new lessons and they will be up on the sight very soon, so sty tuned and keep practicing....Mark B.
Good Lessons, been over 20 since i picked up a guitar. feels a little strange, I am 58 years old and it seems like i am starting over. Good lessons Mark, and thanks. I am doing the supplementals, pulled my old Stratacaster out of moth balls. Looking forward to your next lessons, and thanks--Paul
Hi Paul....I'm glad you decided to get your Strat out and play again. I'm sure you'll find it a gratifying experience. Try to play regularly (hopefully every day), and be patient. I have more lessons to come in the real near future, so stay tuned, and I hope to talk to you soon....Mark B.
Mark - I am learning a lot from your lessons....great job! I had to sign up after I reviewed your Black Crows Song - Love it!!!! Rock on!
Hey Daniel...welcome to the site. Glad you enjoy the lessons. There's more to come real soon......Mark B.
Do you have any recommendations or exercises to get your fingers to stretch out on the fretboard? My pinkie finger doesn't want to cooperate very well.
Hey Robbin...sorry I didn't get back to you quicker on this. Take a look at my lesson on left hand technique. I talk about getting the wrist around under the neck and keeping the plane of your palm almost parallel to the side of the neck..this gets your pinky out over the fretboard and in good position, without reaching or straining...hope this helps.
Looking forward to your next lessons.
mark my supplemental content did not have info on c maj in 3rds sheet music is something missing or just on mine or the 1/8th info. thank you sammy
Hey Sammy....the supplemental content does have the C major in thirds....starts on bar 19
I am pretty much enjoy to follow your lesson. cool job and well done. hopefully can see your next lesson very soon. Just want to know how many phase 1 lessons left? Colin
Hey Colin....I'm not sure how many lessons I will do in this series. Right now it's kinda open ended. I plan to get into chords next, and then later I'll get into power chords and pentatonic scales. Lots of good stuff to come....Mark B.
i'm sure you did do that on purpose :P good job mark i like your series and am using it to learn, so hopefully i'll finally actually "get" the chords from following your lessons.