Three Octave Scales Guitar Lesson

Lesson Overview / Objectives

-Learn and memorize the 3 octave scale patterns for the major scale and the minor pentatonic.

Note: Three octave patterns for the natural minor and harmonic minor scales will be taught in a future lesson.

-Play these scale patterns in all 12 major keys by using the circle of fifths as a guide. A circle of fifths diagram is provided under the "Supplemental Content" tab. If you need help interpreting this diagram, refer to Matt's sixth jazz lesson.

Reasons for Practicing 3 Octave Scales

-3 octave scales provide an opportunity to practice position shifts.

-In almost every possible tonality, 3 full octaves worth of notes can be utilized. Consequently, playing 3 octave scales is a logical way to utilize the full range of the guitar.

-Many beginner and intermediate guitarists are afraid to utilize the higher, smaller frets. 3 octave scales function as a solid stepping stone toward playing guitar solos in upper fretboard positions.

-They increase your overall knowledge of where available notes are located within a specific key.

Three Octave Major Scales

Note: Tablature and standard notation to all lesson exercises can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Unlike the 2 octave versions of the scales that you have learned, the same fretboard pattern cannot be used for all 12 major keys. Rather, three different patterns must be learned. The first pattern presented in Scene 2 can be used when playing in all of the keys with the exception of E major and F major. Both of these keys utilize their own unique scale pattern.

3 Octave Major Pattern #1 - Keys of C, G, D, A, B, F#(Gb), C#(Db), Ab, Eb, Bb

A. Demonstration

Matt demonstrates the most prevalent 3 octave pattern in the key of G major. This example is provided at 00:30 in Scene 2.

B. Important Features to Note

-Unlike all other scale patterns that Matt has taught to date, this 3 octave pattern uses different patterns when ascending and descending the scale.

-Within the ascending portion of the scale, position shifts are performed on the third and first strings.

-When descending, position shifts are performed on the first and fifth strings.

-As you play through a 3 octave scale pattern, make a note of the 2 octave patterns that are found within it. Keep in mind that the entire 2 octave pattern of the scale will not be used within the 3 octave pattern. Rather, only a portion of a 2 octave pattern is used within the full 3 octave pattern.

3 Octave Major Pattern #2 - Key of E

A. Demonstration

Matt breaks down the 3 octave pattern for E major in Scene 3.

B. Important Features to Note

-Just like the first 3 octave pattern taught in the lesson, the ascending and descending forms of the E major pattern are different.

-Within the ascending portion of the scale, position shifts are performed on the sixth and third strings.

-When descending, position shifts are performed on the first and fifth strings.

-Once again, make a note of which 2 octave scale patterns are found within this 3 octave pattern.

3 Octave Major Pattern #3 - Key of F

A. Demonstration

The 3 octave pattern for F major is demonstrated at the beginning of Scene 4.

B. Important Features to Note

-The ascending and descending patterns are the same.

-Position shifts are performed on the fifth and first strings.

-When descending, position shifts are performed on the first and fifth strings.

-Make a note of the 2 octave scale patterns found within this 3 octave pattern.

3 Octave Minor Pentatonic Pattern

Note: For additional instruction on this 3 octave scale pattern refer to lesson 78 of Hawkeye Herman's Phase 2 Blues series.

A. Demonstration

Matt breaks down the 3 octave minor pentatonic pattern in the key of Am. This demonstration is provided at 00:36 in Scene 5.

B. Important Features to Note

-The ascending and descending patterns are the same.

-Position shifts are performed on the fifth, third, and first strings.

-This pattern utilizes notes from all five of the minor pentatonic patterns.

Scale Practice Guidelines

-Practice scales in all possible keys.

Note: The three octave minor pentatonic pattern cannot be played in the key of F minor unless you have a guitar within an extended range. Examples of guitars with extended ranges are 7 string guitars, 8 string guitars, or guitars with more than 24 frets. The 3 octave minor pentatonic pattern can be played in the key of E minor only if your guitar has 24 frets or an extended range. In summary, you may have to omit a few keys if you are limited by the number of frets on your guitar.

-Since scales and technique can be rather boring to practice, work on them at the beginning of your daily practice routine when you are most attentive. Most people gradually lose their focus as a long practice session progresses. You must avoid going through the motions when practicing scales. Otherwise, you will not make much improvement and you may even reinforce some bad habits.

-At this point in the series, Matt has taught a wide variety of technical exercises. Due to time constrictions, it is impossible for most people to squeeze all of these exercises into a single daily practice session. Many guitarists find it beneficial to set up a practice routine in which a handful of technical exercises are delegated to each day of the week.

-All scales and technical exercises must be practiced musically. Practice them as though you are playing a beautiful melody. In addition, always make sure that you are playing with perfect time. Practice with a metronome as much as you can stand it!

-Do not play these scales faster than you can! This common sense piece of advice is ignored by many players. Playing too fast will most likely result in sloppy position shifts.

-Practice scales in a wide variety of tempos. After all, music is played in a wide variety of tempos.

-Play in various rhythms. Apply the rhythm exercises provided in the "Supplemental Content" section of lesson 29 to all three octave major scales. These rhythm exercises only work with seven note, diatonic scales. Unfortunately, they cannot be used with the 3 octave minor pentatonic scale pattern.

-Do not deviate from the left hand fingerings that Matt has indicated in Supplemental Content.

-Say each note name aloud as you practice the scale. This will greatly increase your knowledge and understanding of the fretboard. It will also prevent you from taking a "connect the dots" approach to playing the guitar.

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