First of all let's look at a few pages before we start.
How to Read the Notation
Movable Chords
Fretboard Lesson
Root notes
As we saw in the Movable Chords lesson, the root notes are the keys to finding
chords and chord progressions. However, they are also they key to finding scales and
chord progression scales. Let's look at an example, let's say you knew the B b major scale.
However, you wanted to know the B major scale.
First of all you would locate the B b root note on the A string. Next, you would
play the major scale pattern starting on that root note. You would
be playing the B b major scale.
Guitar Scale
Finally, you would move the B b root note down one fret to the B root note. Likewise,
you would also move the major scale pattern. Now, you would play the major scale
pattern starting on the B root note. You would be playing the B major scale.
Movable Chord Progression Scales
As we saw before, scales can be moved up and down the fretboard. However, these scales
also belong to chord progressions. In other words, if your jamming in the key of E then
you will need to know the E, A and B scales. It's because the Key of E contains the
E, A and B chords. When the guitarist plays an E then you will play an E scale. However
if he switches to a B chord then you will probably switch to a B scale.
Example # 1 - Moving the F # blues progression (chords and scales - F #, B and C #)
Guitar Fretboard Chart - Root Note Finder
1. Locate the F # root note (on the Low E string) and play the major blues scale. You
will be playing the F # major blues scale.
2. Go from the F # root note to the G root note. Now play the major blues scale pattern.
You will be playing the G major blues scale.
3. Now locate the B root note. It's on the A string. You will then play the major
blues scale pattern (The one which starts on the A string). You will be performing
the B major blues scale.
4. Go from the B root note to the C root note. Again, play the same pattern. You will
now be going over the C major blues scale.
5. Locate the C # root note. You will go over the blues scale pattern which would
be the C # major blues scale.
6. Go from the C # root note to the D root note. Finally, you will be playing the D
major blues scale.
We have moved the F #, B and C # blues scales (F # major progression) down one fret to
make them G, C and D blues scales (G major progression).
Some Tab Examples
F # major blues scale -
chart |
sound |
tab
G major blues scale -
chart |
sound |
tab
Scale shapes
Let's look at some common scale shapes: (tabs and audio)
Blues Scale Tab
Guitar Videos
Modes
Modes are a fancy word for scales.
It's also useful to know these modes:
Ionian Mode (major scale)
Dorian Mode
Mixolydian Mode
