Hey Friend,

Didn’t we just start this month?! Here we are, one week into November, and it feels like I was standing still while it all passed by…

Crazy how you can be busy all day long and get nothing done.

Let’s take what we know about the major scale and apply it to the fingerboard.

There are all sorts of ways you can play a scale, from single notes moving up one string, to spanning all six strings.

I’m going to focus on major scale patterns played with three notes per string. This way you get a finger stretching bonus built into each scale!

In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, these patterns repeat.

It might take them a while to come back to their starting point, but eventually, you will see the scale patterns come full circle. Just like the scale comes around from the tonic to the perfect octave, the fingerboard is set up so that you can work each major scale easily from any position. 

Before we look at the first scale pattern on the neck, I want you to do some stretching. Specifically, practice playing a whole step interval with your index and your middle fingers.

For example, play the A note on the sixth string (fifth fret) with your index finger, then use your middle finger for the B note on the seventh fret.

This will feel unnatural, but that’s just because your fingers aren’t used to the stretch. 

It might also be a bit of a challenge to get your finger in position over the string to do this. If that’s the case, make sure your thumb isn’t wrapped around the guitar neck.

If it is, slide it underneath the neck so it is centered directly behind the fingerboard. That will allow your hand to reach further over the strings.

Work at the stretch between your index and middle fingers. This is going to give you a lot of flexibility in your playing as you progress.

Now, lest you be worried that I’m never going to get to the good stuff, don't. Melodies, harmonies, etc...

We’re getting there, but there has to be a foundation to build on. These notes and scales are critical to learn because your ears and fingers (okay, your master brain) develop an intuition through repetition.

The more you work through exercises that strengthen the connection between your fingers and ears, the easier playing becomes. That’s because your fingers know where they need to go next based on what your brain (and ears) is telling them.

Peace~

Dave