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The
major scale is the foundation upon which our music system is built. It
contains seven notes (do - re - mi - fa - so - la - ti). If you've seen "The Sound of Music", you'll remember the song about the major scale... "Do(e),
a deer, a female deer. Re (ray) a drop of golden sun..." We're going
to learn this scale on guitar, in two octaves. Major
Scale Pattern
This pattern for the major scale is a movable pattern, with the root on
the sixth string. Meaning, if you start the scale on the third fret of
the sixth string, you're playing a G major scale. If you start at the eighth
fret, you're playing a C major scale.
It is extremely important when playing this scale to stay in position.
Start the scale with your second finger on the sixth string, followed by
the fourth finger on the sixth string. The next note will be played with
your first finger on the fifth string, etc. It is important to be sure
that each finger in your fretting hand is responsible for only one fret
on the guitar when playing the scale. For example, when playing an A major
scale (fifth fret), your first finger will play all notes on the fourth
fret, your second finger will play all notes on the fifth fret, your third
finger will play all notes on the sixth fret, and your fourth finger will
play all notes on the seventh fret.
Performance
Notes:
- As always, use ALTERNATE PICKING as your primary method of performing
this scale. You can also practice the scale using all upstrokes, or
all downstrokes, etc.
- Memorize this scale. You'll use it extensively in years to come,
if you want to learn to read music, or to play lead guitar.
- Play
it forwards, then backwards, in a slow, even tempo. Build up speed
only when your technique at slower tempos is flawless.
Now, let's move on to learning a new strum.
Next page > Strumming
Patterns > Page 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
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