Lesson 12. Guitar Scales

Welcome to lesson 12 on guitar scales. If you recall, in lesson 10 you learned the 5 most commonly used fingerings of the pentatonic scale. In this lesson you will learn how they hook together to cover the entire length of the fretboard.

We will start by reviewing the first two fingerings of the pentatonic scale. As stated in lesson 10, each pentatonic scale can be thought of as 2 different guitar scales, either major or minor depending on which note we consider as the tonic.  The minor tonics are shown in red and the major tonics are shown in blue.

Now here are the same two guitar scales.

Notice the notes of each scale that are highlighted in purple. This is where these two fingerings of the pentatonic scale overlap. They fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Where the first one ends, the second one begins.

For example, if you are playing in A minor, the first two notes of fingering one will be at the 5th fret and 8th fret on the 6th string. The second fingerings first note would be located at the 8th fret, 6th string at the point where the two guitar scales overlap.

By connecting the scales in this manner you will be able to shift positions and move higher or lower on the neck, depending on which way you are going of course.

This example shows the overlap of the second and third fingerings of the pentatonic scale.

Now go back to lesson 10 and figure out the overlap point of the remaining guitar scales. When you know all of the fingerings well and how they connect, you will have the ability to play up and down the entire length of the fretboard.

That wraps up lesson 12. Thanks for reading and visiting. If you have any questions or comments contact me at bob@learn-guitar-online.com.

Click here for guitar scales lesson 13.