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Guitar Scales Basics & TheoryGuitar Scale Beginners - Start Here The very basics of how guitar
scales work. First thing's first, make sure you know how the fretboard works! Could you say where all the positions for "F#" are on your guitar? This lesson includes clear and concise fretboard diagrams and a simple but ingenious way to learn the fretboard. Well, ok, maybe not ingenious but it bloody well works! Part 1: Basics Learn how scales are essentially built from scratch. Intervals are simply the spaces between notes on the fretboard, and several of these build a scale. Part 1: Basic
Intervals Answers the question "what
makes a scale major or
minor?". This lesson shows you how to identify a scale's tones to
determine whether it can be played over major or minor chords or
progressions. Shows you how to identify a "starting point" for your
soloing by playing scale patterns around chord shapes. This is about
using your knowledge of those basic barre/movable chords from the
chords section and applying boxed scale patterns to those same
positions. Learn how to identify and use
"passing tones" in
scales. These are tones you should avoid emphasising (e.g. holding
onto) in your solos. Includes a backing track and ear training
exercises to help you pick out the passing tones in the example scales. Guitar Scales LessonsThe most important guitar
scale lesson you will take. The major
scale is the foundation of western music (based on the chromatic
scale). All
other scales can be seen simply as modifications of the major scale
(even minor
scales). So make the major scale your first priority. Other major scale lessons: Basic Major Scale ExercisesSeries which looks at the 7 modes of the major scale, from Ionian to Locrian (yes they have weird names - goes back a long way). Each lesson takes you through the individual "flavour" and characteristics of each mode, with jam tracks to help you experiment with your own ideas. Finally, we pull it all together and delve deeper into modal theory. Mode 1: Ionian Modal Chord Progressions Pentatonic scales are very simple: just 5 tones. This series will introduce you to the minor and major pentatonic scales and help you "unbox" them across the whole fretboard of your guitar. The final part looks at more advanced pentatonics including how to merge major and minor effectively. Backing tracks provided! Unboxing the pentatonic scales More advanced pentatonicsLearn the key tones used in blues soloing,
building on the
pentatonic foundations from above. Some really good backing tracks in
this lesson and plenty for you to experiment with... whether you're
into blues or not! A slight alteration of the natural minor scale
(also the Aeolian mode),
harmonic minor has a more "exotic" sound and unstable tension than many
other
minor scales. In this lesson, we'll learn when it's typically used and
there's a couple of backing tracks to help you really get a feel for
this
wonderful scale. See
also: Harmonic
Minor Positions A
slight alteration of the Phrygian mode from earlier (so make sure
you've been through that lesson first!). The Spanish scale, also called
Phrygian
Dominant, is a major scale used most commonly in flamenco
and
non-western
musical traditions. However, it's become a favourite in heavy metal and
makes frequent appearences in "alternative" western genres. You'll
enjoy it! Harmonic Minor and Phrygian Mode Looks more in depth at the relationship between
harmonic minor and
its 5th Phrygian mode (which is the same as the Spanish scale above).
This lesson is for those who truly want to understand the harmonic
function of Phrygian, its tension and resolution. Includes audio clips
to train your ear to the harmonic minor-Phrygian sound and a fresh
backing track. A look at the more exotic
scales used commonly in heavy metal
music with backing tracks to try out your own ideas. Although the focus
is on
heavy metal, these scales will work in other genres and contexts, so
keep that
in mind. Learn how to create arpeggios - chords played one note at a time - and use the backing tracks to experiment with your own ideas. The first lesson introduces the theory behind arpeggios and then takes you onto how they work on guitar. Part 2 looks at more indepth theory - how to weave arpeggios into an existing solo. Part 1: Arpeggio
basics Tons more guitar scales lessons to come! Use the RSS feed (bottom of the navbar) to keep updated if you want. Don't forget to take a look at the Guitar Scale Mastery Course as a more comprehensive guide.
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