A7X[Synsyter.G]
New member
^^ Minor Pentatonic? Major Pentatonic? Major scale? Minor scale? Mode?
So whats the type of scale that a beginner should start?
So whats the type of scale that a beginner should start?
Whats the 1st scale that a beginner should start with?
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rockassmonster
New member
..
major scale is the backbone of all music..
from the major scale, u know how to come up with different modes, chord formations, minors, diminished, everything..
major scale is the backbone of all music..
from the major scale, u know how to come up with different modes, chord formations, minors, diminished, everything..
Rollercoaster
New member
Major and Minor Pentatonic!
Major and Minor Pentatonic Scale. Seriously, I dunno a lead guitar player who dunno that scale.
Major and Minor Pentatonic Scale. Seriously, I dunno a lead guitar player who dunno that scale.
CrazyCactusJack
New member
Master the notes on the fretboard first. This may seem hard, but slowly and surely you'll start to see all the patterns connecting the notes.
You can move on to scales after that, start with anything you deem fit but its common knowledge ( and almost a need i must say ) to know your Major/Minor Pentatonic and Major scales.
For the major/minor pentatonic, you'll notice that playing the G major scale will give you the E minor pentatonic scale, this is due to them have a minor third relationship (google this). All the patterns and shapes you learn here can be applied to the blues scale as well, just note that the blues scale consists of ONE more note which is pivotal in helping you acheive a 'bluesy' vibe.
The major scale can be learnt almost easily through the application of the modal scales, do a search, there have been very interesting and educating discussions on this.
BTW: Pentonic scales - 5 notes
Blues scales - 6 notes
Major scales - 7 notes.
All the notes in western music? 12 notes
hope this helps! The learning journey may be arduous, but you'll get there after some effort.
You can move on to scales after that, start with anything you deem fit but its common knowledge ( and almost a need i must say ) to know your Major/Minor Pentatonic and Major scales.
For the major/minor pentatonic, you'll notice that playing the G major scale will give you the E minor pentatonic scale, this is due to them have a minor third relationship (google this). All the patterns and shapes you learn here can be applied to the blues scale as well, just note that the blues scale consists of ONE more note which is pivotal in helping you acheive a 'bluesy' vibe.
The major scale can be learnt almost easily through the application of the modal scales, do a search, there have been very interesting and educating discussions on this.
BTW: Pentonic scales - 5 notes
Blues scales - 6 notes
Major scales - 7 notes.
All the notes in western music? 12 notes
hope this helps! The learning journey may be arduous, but you'll get there after some effort.
futures
New member
What the above is referring to is that the notes in each major scale are the same as the notes in its relative minor scale. The example used being Gmajor and Eminor.
Moving on to your question. Since you're starting out i would suggest avoiding anything and everything to do with modes. It will only confuse you even more. Learn the major scales. And not just the scales in different positions, but the locations of the notes of the scale all over the fretboard.
For example if you were learning the Cmajor scale, you would be learning the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, all of which fall in the key of C. Learn to find them all everywhere on the fretboard, on different frets, different strings.
Major scales are the most important because most scales are derived from the major scale.
Personally i wouldn't dive into pentatonic because you might get lazy when it comes to learning the diatonic scale. If you learn the diatonic scale first, you would have already learned the pentatonic scale by default. But that's just my preference, others may disagree with me on this but that's fine.
Take it slow and enjoy yourself !
Moving on to your question. Since you're starting out i would suggest avoiding anything and everything to do with modes. It will only confuse you even more. Learn the major scales. And not just the scales in different positions, but the locations of the notes of the scale all over the fretboard.
For example if you were learning the Cmajor scale, you would be learning the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, all of which fall in the key of C. Learn to find them all everywhere on the fretboard, on different frets, different strings.
Major scales are the most important because most scales are derived from the major scale.
Personally i wouldn't dive into pentatonic because you might get lazy when it comes to learning the diatonic scale. If you learn the diatonic scale first, you would have already learned the pentatonic scale by default. But that's just my preference, others may disagree with me on this but that's fine.
Take it slow and enjoy yourself !
guitarfan84
New member
Hi A7X,
I would try to learn the standard minor pentatonic box shape first. The minor pentatonic is really a catch - all scale and you cant really go wrong with it. Learn it in the common keys: Em, Am, Bm and Gm.
Learn the blues scale too: it's just one note extra but adds a whole lot of character.
Learn the notes on the fretboard. If it is too daunting try to memorise the first five frets on the E and A string.
I would advise you to learn the minor scale, but NOT in box shape. I would learn all the notes and practice all over the neck instead of being locked in. Again, in common keys: Em, Am, Dm.
As you get more advanced you can learn major scales, and probably modes too.
Regards
I would try to learn the standard minor pentatonic box shape first. The minor pentatonic is really a catch - all scale and you cant really go wrong with it. Learn it in the common keys: Em, Am, Bm and Gm.
Learn the blues scale too: it's just one note extra but adds a whole lot of character.
Learn the notes on the fretboard. If it is too daunting try to memorise the first five frets on the E and A string.
I would advise you to learn the minor scale, but NOT in box shape. I would learn all the notes and practice all over the neck instead of being locked in. Again, in common keys: Em, Am, Dm.
As you get more advanced you can learn major scales, and probably modes too.
Regards
guitarfan84
New member
Hi Tunge,
I would work on minor pentatonic first, the reason is threefold:
1) Easy scale to finger, compared to others e.g. major scales which has position shifts
2) Plays well over A (although theoretically not correct due to minor third), Am or A7
3) Move the same scale down 3 frets, and you get the major pentatonic version.
From my limited experience the most common keys are Em (mother of all scales) and its relative major G, and Am and its relative major C.
I would learn the minor pentatonic version, the minor scale in the key and then the major scale. Again, this is what works for me which might not for you ya.
I would work on minor pentatonic first, the reason is threefold:
1) Easy scale to finger, compared to others e.g. major scales which has position shifts
2) Plays well over A (although theoretically not correct due to minor third), Am or A7
3) Move the same scale down 3 frets, and you get the major pentatonic version.
From my limited experience the most common keys are Em (mother of all scales) and its relative major G, and Am and its relative major C.
I would learn the minor pentatonic version, the minor scale in the key and then the major scale. Again, this is what works for me which might not for you ya.
firdaus
New member
hi sir i have to agree with what xfigox said which s to master the notes on the entire fretboard this is the key to become a good guitarist.Reasons for the need of mastering the entire fretboard is 1 you will know the different fingerings for a particular scale throughout the entire fretboard,2 you will be able to play the different modes of the scale more easily because yo know all of the notes on the entire fretboard.3 you will not get stuck in a 'box' kind of playing .4 you will more melodic ideas than a person who memorize scale shapes.I have to admit this is a very troublesome thing to do memorizing the entire fret board :shock:
But if you are going to play guitar till you die! Than this is something that you will not regret doing
But if you want the easy way out, than minor pentatonic would be the best scale for you to learn as it only contain five notes and it is ear friendly
But if you are going to play guitar till you die! Than this is something that you will not regret doing
But if you want the easy way out, than minor pentatonic would be the best scale for you to learn as it only contain five notes and it is ear friendly
Master the Major scale first. This is familiar do-re-mi...
Dont rush to the other scales unless you master the major scale. Start studying correctly to be a complete guitarist.
And, minimize surfing the web. Spend more time in your guitar!
Always start with the major scale.
The major scale opens the path for the different kind of minor scales, the 7 other modes, pentatonic scale, blue scale, etc.
You need to know the different major scales and its features across the fretboard before you think of advancing.
You need to learn the importance of intervals, how harmony works in a major scale, how chords are derived... And the major scales make it easier, in my opinion, at the start.
So, start from a major scale. Any major scale, but perhaps the C or the G Major scale since they're the friendliest around(loads of songs are forever in that key).
The major scale opens the path for the different kind of minor scales, the 7 other modes, pentatonic scale, blue scale, etc.
You need to know the different major scales and its features across the fretboard before you think of advancing.
You need to learn the importance of intervals, how harmony works in a major scale, how chords are derived... And the major scales make it easier, in my opinion, at the start.
So, start from a major scale. Any major scale, but perhaps the C or the G Major scale since they're the friendliest around(loads of songs are forever in that key).
sarge
New member
Pentatonic
I would recommend you to learn the pentatonic scales first since it is the easiest to master and used in a lot of musical styles as well esp rock.Add the flatted 5th note and you already have the blues scale.Major and minor pentatonics are the same in the shapes but played in different positions.Move on to the major scales since playing major scales involves modes-that's another part of the story.Good luck.
I would recommend you to learn the pentatonic scales first since it is the easiest to master and used in a lot of musical styles as well esp rock.Add the flatted 5th note and you already have the blues scale.Major and minor pentatonics are the same in the shapes but played in different positions.Move on to the major scales since playing major scales involves modes-that's another part of the story.Good luck.
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