Scales Guitar Lesson
Scales
Learn the basic minor, natural, and major scales. Quite a few techniques & ideas start with scales - they're an essential building block.
Taught by Matt Brown in Rock Guitar with Matt Brown seriesLength: 34:15Difficulty: 3.0 of 5
Basic Major Scale Fingerings
Matt demonstrates the two most common major scale fingerings devised by the great classical guitarist Andres Segovia. The first and most common pattern stays in 7th position. The second pattern begins in 2nd position then shifts up to the fifth position. When improvising, you will very seldom stay in the same position for the entire solo. This pattern gives you practice shifting up the neck to access higher notes.Note: Click the "Supplemental Content" tab for diagrams of these scales as well as a Circle of Fifths diagram. Chapter 2: (6:22) Natural Minor Scales Matt demonstrates the most common Natural Minor scale fingerings in the key of A minor. Once again, Segovia devised these patterns. The first stays pattern remains in 5th position throughout. However, the B note on the D string can be played on the 4th fret of the G string. This will cause a position shift. The second pattern is a pattern with a position shift. It is demonstrated in the key of E minor. Be sure to practice these scales in all 12 minor keys. Use the inner circle of the Circle of Fifths to practice minor keys.
These patterns can be transposed to any key across the neck. Start with your second finger on the root note and you are good to go! Be sure to practice these scale fingerings in all 12 major keys! Start with C and work your way around the Circle of Fifths.
Note: Click the "Supplemental Content" tab for diagrams of these scales. Chapter 3: (9:34) Minor Pentatonic Scales This scale is derived from the Natural Minor Scale. It consists of 5 notes, hence the name "pentatonic". These notes are the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th scale degrees from the Natural Minor Scale. In the key of A minor, these notes are A, C, D, E, and G. These notes are chosen because they are most consonant against a diatonic progression. B and F are notes that are generally used to create tension. As a result, they are omitted from the pentatonic scale.
In this scene, Matt demonstrates the 5 vertical pentatonic patterns or "boxes". The fifth position box is the most common, and consequently should be mastered first.
Note: Click the "Supplemental Content" tab for diagrams of the five minor pentatonic boxes. Chapter 4: (1:31) Major Pentatonic Scales The finger patterns for the Major Pentatonic Scale are the same as the Minor Pentatonic. This scale also contains the same notes (C,D,E,G,A,C). In this case however, start and end the scale on the tonic note C. Reordering the notes as such will give the scale a major sound.
Note: Click the "Supplemental Content" tab for diagrams of the five major pentatonic boxes. Chapter 5: (7:25) Practical Applications Scales help develop three basic skill sets essential to any musician.
1. Practicing scales enhances technical ability. Playing scales is an excellent way to monitor your hand posture (both right and left). Through repetitious practice of scales, speed can very gradually be increased. How do you think players such as Kirk Hammett or Dimebag Darrell can play such fast lines? They spent several years of diligent practice working on their scales.
2. Practicing scales is the best practice for being able to perform melodic content musically. When playing scales, they must be interpreted as a series of resolutions passing from one note to another. If you do not practice your scales musically, your solos and melodies will not sound musical. You may be playing all the correct notes, but it still doesn't sound like anything.
3. Playing scales increases your knowledge of the fretboard. In order to improvise effectively in a given tonality, you must be able to play the scale horizontally and vertically across the entire neck. In the course of a solo, you don't have time to sit and figure out where the next pentatonic box is. This must all be memorized through practice in advance. In order to play any written repertoire such as a classical piece or a jazz chord solo, one must know all the scale patterns that the piece contains. Knowing scales is also the biggest help in writing songs. Without a total knowledge of all the different scales and sounds available, how do you expect to write music that doesn't all sound the same?
Supplemental Learning Material
Rock Guitar with Matt Brown
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsChuck Berry among others pioneered the style of rock and roll in the 1950's. Today, rock and roll remains the most popular genre of music. Over the years the genre has progressed & spawned many sub-genres: soft rock, classic rock, punk rock, and more. Dive into this Phase 2 set of lessons to become a master of rock.
Lesson 1
Proper Practicing
Learn how to get the most out of your time when practicing.
Length: 29:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Introduction to Lead
Matt Brown discusses some of the fundamentals to playing lead.
Length: 15:41 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Figuring Out Notes
Matt shows you the basics of figuring out any note on the guitar.
Length: 7:00 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Scales
Learn the basic minor, natural, and major scales. Quite a few techniques & ideas start with scales - they're an essential building block.
Length: 34:15 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Major Scales
In this lesson, Matt takes you through the major scales & helps you to understand how they can be used.
Length: 20:25 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Natural Minor Scales
Matt teaches the most common natural minor scale patterns.
Length: 13:24 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Bending
Learn & master the most popular types of bends.
Length: 27:48 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Sweep Picking & Rakes
Learn sweep picking and string rakes.
Length: 18:36 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Solo Techniques
Learn various techniques to use when improvising / soloing.
Length: 12:51 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Tuning Down
Matt explains the most effective way to tune your guitar down.
Length: 7:18 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Barre Chords
Learn how to establish finger independence and a few tips and tricks with barre chords.
Length: 37:18 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Rock Licks
In this lesson, Matt Brown introduces a rock lick and shows how several famous players have modified it.
Length: 19:30 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Rock Sequences
In this lesson Matt teaches some crucial rock sequences. He also explains how these sequences can be integrated in to your playing.
Length: 34:52 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
String Skipping
Matt Brown focuses on string skipping technique. He provides several exercises designed to improve this aspect of your playing.
Length: 33:09 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Intervals
Lesson 15 in Matt's rock series is all about intervals.
Length: 34:47 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Rock Lead Guitar
Matt Brown demonstrates lead guitar techniques using Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" as an example.
Length: 29:24 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Solo Using Diatonic Scales
Matt Brown explains which scales can be used when playing a solo over a diatonic progression in a major key. As an example, he teaches the solo section to Candlebox's song "Far Behind."
Length: 33:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Diatonic Natural Minor
This lesson covers the natural minor scale and diatonic natural minor progressions. Matt uses the solo section to "Stairway to Heaven" as an example.
Length: 24:55 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Right Hand Technique
In lesson 19 Matt provides instruction on developing right hand skills including string skipping.
Length: 26:38 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Non-Diatonic Progressions
In lesson 20, Matt discusses chord progressions that don't follow a diatonic tonality.
Length: 29:07 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Harmonic Minor
Matt begins to discuss and demonstrate the harmonic minor scale.
Length: 29:46 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Improvising Over Harmonic Minor
In lesson 22, Matt continues his discussion of the harmonic minor tonality.
Length: 14:36 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Sweet Child O' Mine
In lesson 23, Matt takes a look at the solo section for the song "Sweet Child O' Mine."
Length: 19:43 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Today
Matt will be taking a look at the solo section from the live version of the Smashing Pumpkins song "Today."
Length: 7:29 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Back in Black
Matt Brown reviews and discusses the solo section to AC/DC's hit "Back in Black."
Length: 9:34 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Brother
In lesson 26, Matt will be covering the solo section from the Alice in Chains song "Brother."
Length: 9:42 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Matt's Rock Manifesto
Matt Brown discusses lead guitarists, what makes a good solo, and tips for your own lead playing.
Length: 41:06 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Legato Playing Exercises
Matt Brown teaches a number of exercises aimed at improving your legato playing technique.
Length: 37:16 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Right Hand Exercises
Matt Brown demonstrates a few exercises to build skill and speed in your right hand.
Length: 15:06 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
String Skipping Etude
Matt Brown teaches Heitor Villa-Lobos' 1st Etude as a lesson in string skipping.
Length: 38:47 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Three Octave Scales
Matt Brown demonstrates how to play three octave versions of the minor pentatonic and the major scales in all 12 keys.
Length: 16:56 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Diatonic Intervals
Matt Brown demonstrates how to play all seven of the diatonic intervals within the framework of a horizontal major scale.
Length: 23:01 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Diatonic 7th Arpeggios
Matt Brown discuss diatonic arpeggios as a theory lesson as well as demonstrating the technique.
Length: 9:55 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Diatonic 7ths Across the Neck
Matt Brown explains how to play the diatonic seventh chords of the major scale. Similar to lesson 32, this lesson takes a horizontal approach to the fretboard.
Length: 10:46 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Solo Ideas #1
Matt Brown teaches a progression and accompanying solo to demonstrate ideas for creating your own.
Length: 21:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Solo Ideas #2
Matt Brown takes a look at another chord progression and solo.
Length: 17:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Legato Playing Ideas
In lesson 37 of the Rock Series, Matt Brown demonstrates and talks about legato playing ideas.
Length: 21:24 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Rhythm Concepts
Matt Brown switches gears in lesson 38 to start talking about rhythm concepts for rock playing.
Length: 27:44 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Compositional Techniques
Matt Brown discusses some often used techniques to build effective rock compositions.
Length: 17:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Creative Chord Voicings
Matt Brown shows off some ways to add some creativity and originality to your rock chord voicings.
Length: 11:59 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Lead Approach
Matt Brown takes another look at his approach to soloing. He demonstrates ideas you can use in your own playing.
Length: 12:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lead Approach #2
Matt Brown adds practice to his lead approach by giving you another chord progression to solo over.
Length: 7:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lead Approach #3
Matt Brown has another chord progression and solo exercise to go over in this lesson on lead approach.
Length: 10:25 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
String Skipping Revisited
Matt Brown takes another look at string skipping. He breaks down some key areas of Matteo Carcassi's Allegro as an exercise.
Length: 16:29 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Matt Brown
View Full Biography
Matt Brown began playing the guitar at the age of 11. "It was a rule in my family to learn and play an instrument for at least two years. I had been introduced to a lot of great music at the time by friends and their older siblings. I was really into bands like Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Smashing Pumpkins, so the decision to pick up the guitar came pretty easily."
Matt's musical training has always followed a very structured path. He began studying the guitar with Dayton, Ohio guitar great Danny Voris. I began learning scales, chords, and basic songs like any other guitarist. After breaking his left wrist after playing for only a year, Matt began to study music theory in great detail. I wanted to keep going with my lessons, but I obviously couldn't play at all. Danny basically gave me the equivalent of a freshman year music theory course in the span of two months. These months proved to have a huge impact on Brown's approach to the instrument.
Brown continued his music education at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He completed a degree in Classical Guitar Performance in 2002. While at Capital, he also studied jazz guitar and recording techniques in great detail. "I've never had any desire to perform jazz music. Its lack of relevance to modern culture has always turned me off. However, nothing will improve your chops more than studying this music."
Matt Brown currently resides in Dayton, Ohio. He teaches lessons locally as well as at Capital University's Community Music School. Matt's recent projects include writing and recording with his new, as of yet nameless band as well as the formation of a cover band called The Dirty Cunnies.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Erik Mongrain
Erik expounds on the many possibilities of open tunings and the new harmonics that you can use in them. He explains what...
Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Kailana Nelson
Mark Nelson introduces "'Ulupalakua," a song he will be using to teach different skills and techniques. In this lesson, he...
Free LessonSeries Details
Trace Bundy
Trace Bundy talks about the different ways you can use multiple capos to enhance your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Jessica Baron
Jessica kindly introduces herself, her background, and her approach to this series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Pamela Goldsmith
Pamela brings a cap to her first 13 JamPlay lessons with another original etude inspired by the great Leo Brouwer. This is...
Free LessonSeries Details
Orville Johnson
Orville Johnson introduces turnarounds and provides great ideas and techniques.
Free LessonSeries Details
Danny Voris
Lesson 7 is all about arpeggios. Danny provides discussion and exercises designed to build your right hand skills.
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Amodeo
Nick explains how to play some of the most commonly used chords in the bluegrass genre.
Free LessonSeries Details
Mark Lincoln
Time to unlock your creativity because in this information packed lesson. Mark dives deep into how to deconstruct the process...
Free LessonSeries Details
Kaki King
In lesson 6, Kaki discusses how the left and right hands can work together or independently of each other to create different...
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
David Wallimann
This is a crucial lesson that explains tablature, how to read it, and why it's important.
Free LessonSeries Details
James Malone
James explains how to tap arpeggios for extended musical reach.
Free LessonSeries Details
Dennis Hodges
Learn a variety of essential techniques commonly used in the metal genre, including palm muting, string slides, and chord...
Free LessonSeries Details
Tosin Abasi
Tosin explains some of the intricacies of the 8 string guitar such as his personal setup and approach to playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Chris Liepe
Chris brings his ingenuity to this lesson on the American folk song called "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" Also known as...
Free LessonSeries Details
Lisa Pursell
Lisa breaks into the very basics of the electric guitar. She starts by explaining the parts of the guitar. Then, she dives...
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Kellie
Nick explains how to use scales and modes effectively when soloing over a chord progression.
Free LessonSeries Details
Brendan Burns
Brendan demonstrates the tiny triad shapes derived from the form 1 barre chord.
Free LessonSeries Details
Emil Werstler
Emil takes you through some techniques that he uses frequently in his style of playing. Topics include neck bending, percussive...
Free LessonSeries Details
DJ Phillips
Learn a handful of new blues techniques while learning to play Stevie Ray Vaughn's "The House Is Rockin'".
Free LessonSeries DetailsAdditional Lesson Features Available to Members
While we have attempted to provide you with an accurate rendition of our video lesson experience, there are some features which
require a membership with us!
Custom Progress Reporting
At JamPlay, we give you the ability to monitor your own progress for any lesson! If you watch one of our lessons and feel as though you understand around half of it, mark your progress at 50%. This adds the lesson to your customized Progress Report, and gives you an incredible ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.
Progressive Bookmarking
With thousands of lessons at your fingertips, JamPlay can be a touch intimidating to a first-time user. With Progressive Bookmarking, we give you the ability to systematically bookmark sections of any lessons you are working on to quickly access later. After all, what is the point of all this content if it isn't easy to use?
Save Your Notes
JamPlay also gives you the ability to leave notes for yourself on any lesson. Just like in any educational system, taking your own notes while learning gives you the ability to highlight the instruction that is important to you. Leave your notes, and we store them in our database for you to reference each and everytime you come back to the lesson.
Join the Thousands of Members at JamPlay
Signup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.
Unlimited Lesson Viewing
A JamPlay membership gives you access to every lesson, from every teacher on our staff. Additionally, there is no restriction on how many times you watch a lesson. Watch as many times as you need.Live Lessons
Exclusive only to JamPlay, we currently broadcast 8-10 hours of steaming lesson services directly to you! Enjoy the benefits of in-person instructors and the conveniences of our community.Interactive Community
Create your own profile, manage your friends list, and contact users with your own JamPlay Mailbox. JamPlay also features live chat with teachers and members, and an active Forum.Chord Library
Each chord in our library contains a full chart, related tablature, and a photograph of how the chord is played. A comprehensive learning resource for any guitarist.Scale Library
Our software allows you to document your progress for any lesson, including notes and percent of the lesson completed. This gives you the ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.Custom Chord Sheets
At JamPlay, not only can you reference our Chord Library, but you can also select any variety of chords you need to work on, and generate your own printable chord sheet.Backing Tracks
Jam-along backing tracks give the guitarist a platform for improvising and soloing. Our backing tracks provide a wide variety of tracks from different genres of music, and serves as a great learning tool.Interactive Games
We have teachers covering beginner lessons, rock, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, fingerstyle, slack key and more. Learn how to play the guitar from experienced players, in a casual environment.Beginners Welcome.. and Up
Unlike a lot of guitar websites and DVDs, we start our Beginner Lessons at the VERY start of the learning process, as if you just picked up a guitar for the first time.Our teaching is structured for all players.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.As I like to play along, I'd like the instructors to have a 1234 count before playing the scale so I can come in at the same time. Just a thought.
Yeah...that's a great suggestion!...This lesson is about 5 years old at this point...I think we tried to incorporate more 'play alongs' in later lessons that we did...especially with the Reading Music and Rhythm series.
Hi, Matt: what do you think is the best way to learn all of the scale shape-patterns for using them over the length of the neck? For example, I will practice improving in a key using all positions, but if I am to jump from one end of the neck to the other, my ability allows me to really only jump to a root because that is how I have defined the patterns. Do you think it is most effective to know the notes of each scale (and the notes of the fretboard), or to create a really good mental image of the scale patterns as they connect to each other so that I can sort of place that image on the fretboard while I play? Thanks!
Hey! When you're first learning a scale, the first step that most people go through is learning where to put your fingers. This is just one step out of many towards actually being able to use the scale for a practical purpose. In the course of a solo or melody, you always want to play off of the important chord tones that are being played. So, to be an effective player, you have to an awareness of how the notes you're playing relate to what the rhythm section is doing. My advice at this point is to organize your improv practice. Try improvising using just a single string at a time. Pick a backing track and improvise using only the first string. Then, repeat the process with the other strings. Also, limit yourself to using just a single vertical position as well. When going through this process, make sure you are using your ears to dictate what you play. Don't just hack through notes that are in the scale and "work." Make sure the ideas that you play make musical sense. Hope this helps! Keep the questions coming!
Good job Matt, I want to ask one question that I am a little confuse about. When looking at the minor scale why do is meant by This mode is built from the sixth scale degree of the parent Major Scale, and is commonly known as the Natural Minor Scale.
Basically, if you look at a major scale, C major for instance, you get the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. The "relative" natural minor scale begins on the sixth note of the major scale and contains the same group of notes. The sixth note of the C major scale is A. So, the relative natural minor scale in relation to C major is A natural minor. This scale is spelled A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. Notice how A natural minor and C major contain the same group of pitches.
So the root note is A?
Yep...The root note is A. Seems like you understand what is going on here.
I like your lessons but I still dont understand this: when you start a solo with a minor scale, how can you add a major scale phrase in the middle of the solo? I mean how do you know where to start? Because if I start with an A minor key, I cant keep phrasing in A major, it doesnt sound good (Im not sure Im clear here, just let me know if not)
I get where this lesson is going but then you go on to just tear up the scales in some solo stuff...that would be nice...some intermediate steps or solo tips I would love...any suggestions?
I get more into that type of information later in the series with the lessons on specific lead techniques and lessons about playing over specific tonalities. I'm also about to film some new lessons that cover that type of information.
I guess its the old cliche...practice your scales and you will get better...turns out to be true. Good lesson. Understand the concept of the circle of fifths and how it works. Not having so much fun with the practical application, going to check out the Jazz lesson reccommended..
Good lesson, but could you further explain what you mean by "playing the scales musically" and hearing the resolutions. I'm not sure what you mean by this.
are there patterns to scales? or do we have to memorize them?
Why is this rated Skill: 3.0 of 5. Seems to be more like the essential basics :)
I agree. I would have rated this lesson a 1 on the difficulty level.
I'm still a little confused about the Circle. How would you go from, say, C to F? Just move up a string and play the same scale?
Check out my Phase 2 Jazz series. I did a full lesson about the circle of fifths.
Silver36, if you do a search on the internet it is easy to find a circle of fifths chart, that should help you out with the scales.
nice lesson, although you got the 3rd Am Pentatonic wrong when you did it the first time through :P when practicing these scales, i would suggest ALWAYS to do it with a metronome at around 60 ( depending on your current ability ) plus if your not doing so already, try doing these lessons in conjunction with Matts lessons on Reading Music, especialy with some of his rythum exercises, and it will help keep your scales practice from getting boring ( which helps very quickly... ) as for the scale boxes, just steal them from i think its Brads lessons, as he uses scales boxes, so there already on the site : )
nice lesson. Some scale diagrams would be a big help
how fast should i be able to play each scale before i move on to the next one? i dont want to try to move on and end up in a huge mess
I agree that addition of scale diagrams would be very welcome for this lesson!
Its way easier to learn scales visually with a diagram vs reading through the tab. I've seen them in other lessons, I would like to see them here and in the suplemental content. Thanks!
A lot to cover, need to see scales, since your fingers ares so close to strings, I can't tell what fret you are hitting.
those scales diagrams would be great
What is the difference between "major" and "minor" scales? What makes a scale "minor"?
In the Supplemental Content section, I see the Circle of Fifths Diagram but do not see diagrams of any of the scales. Have these been posted yet?
Just wanted to let you know that the circle of fifths is now in the supplemental content of this lesson.
We will add this to the supplemental content section ASAP. I apologize for the inconvenience.
great lesson, where can i find the circle of fifths chart?