Jazz Guitar Scales: One Pattern To Rule Them All

Have you been struggling with jazz guitar improvisation and are wondering what the best jazz guitar scales are to use?
In this video I'm going to show you a simple yet easy trick to improvise over the entire fretboard using a clever jazz scales method I call the "Tree System", which will make the fretboard easy to understand, give you a great framework for remembering all those jazzy scales, and save you a lot of time as well.
To get your free PDF which has the jazz scales guitar tabs and diagrams for this lesson, go here: www.fretdojo.com/pdf
Video Sections:
00:00 Introduction
01:19 The problem with CAGED scales (or box patterns) for jazz guitar positions
02:44 Introducing the "Tree" jazz guitar scales system
03:43 Branch 1 of the Tree System for jazz - major scale
06:27 Improvisation example with Branch 1
06:53 Branch 2 of the Tree System
10:07 Benefits of the Tree System
11:01 Guitar modes - creating a Dorian Scale from the Tree system
14:20 Wrap Up
Make sure you subscribe to this channel so you don't miss out on my new jazz guitar lessons, and if you find value in what I'm teaching you today, please hit that like button!
Stick around to the end of this jazz scale guitar lesson because as a bonus I'm also going to give you some very useful tips on how to derive any jazz guitar scales/modes from this one pattern that I'm going to show you today.
Over to you - what do YOU think of this scale system? Do you think I'm onto something here - or do you disagree with this method? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
Kind regards, Greg O'Rourke
* To learn how to play jazz guitar for beginners with step-by-step lessons, visit my website www.fretdojo.com

[@FretDojo]

To get your free PDF which has the jazz scales guitar tabs and diagrams for this lesson, go here: www.fretdojo.com/pdf

[@alfredromero4784]

Very excellent I enjoyed how easy your explanation was to see exactly it's difference between those two scales. I was noticing that the bottom three notes were on top and the second three notes in the bottom can the others be transformed like that from the 1scale¿ Sure wish you would have gone into detail on that? Oh forgot can you give us a most common used comping jazz chords details version tho not the shortcut one???

[@FretDojo]

​@@alfredromero4784 thanks!! Now, those are big questions...more jazz chord videos are coming out on the channel soon! Stay subscribed for more😉

[@gabrielcarpenter8251]

Finally a teacher that does not confound and confuse the Jazz learning and technique process, bravo !

[@FretDojo]

Thanks for your kind comments Gabriel! Glad you found this useful :)

[@alvinrhoda7344]

Been playing acoustic guitar but loved listening to jazz guitarist tricks. You have switch my ideas from 0 to 100. Good tutor. Thanks😁

[@louistech112]

You are welcome to the Sunday BBQ dinner cuz this really helped me visualize the fretboard

[@osiejiofor1898]

I've been looking for a video like this for years! Thanks 👍🏾 Straight to the point!

[@FretDojo]

Glad you found this useful Osi!

[@bluestrain100]

Hey Greg from an old blues man guitarist venturing into the intricate jazz field I think that if I don't succeed I will still owe you a ton of thanks. You've made more sense of the process easier than I've found anywhere else. I thank you! Tom

[@FretDojo]

Hi Thomas I'm really happy to hear you found value in this video - if you are consistent in your effort daily, and have a clear vision of what you want to acheive, you WILL succeed!!

[@lookforbriansjazz7832]

Ok, Greg… you got me. Like Jens Larsen says that you want lessons to support sounding musical as well, otherwise it’s boring. You nailed it! I subscribed. Thank you!!

[@jeffreybenton1836]

Brilliant lesson, Greg! If you already know the major scale patterns in each key, then being able to link them adds a whole new dimension, and with a little practice, being able to flatten the third and seventh, which is important in jazz, will come easily--you'll learn to hear the correct intervals in your mind as you play. You're the best on-line teacher I've found. I'm a member of FretDojo Academy, and I recommend it to anyone who really wants to learn to play the guitar.

[@FretDojo]

Thanks very much for your kind comments Jeffrey - yes this is a great system for learning any scale pattern across the fretboard just by changing the intervals in each shape. I appreciate you!

[@MrRossleb]

i love this. its fantastic and makes perfect sense.

[@jkop100]

Thanks for breaking it down to easier to learn patterns

[@cymbalsplus]

Greg, you're a bloody legend!

[@FretDojo]

Thanks for your kind feedback!

[@mauricebrown24]

Greg, this the best guide to jazz guitar that I have seen on KZbin. I will be enrolling in your beginner course. I can only imagine how fast I can finally learn. I have been struggling for years with chords, tablature never to reach my target. You make it simple. Thanks

[@MorningCarnival]

This has been a real eye opener. I play basic blues but am now switching to jazz and this has opened the door for me. Thanks!

[@marionclarke4828]

Very useful tool for moving around the fretboard with confidence (eventually :)) Thanks Greg; excellent teaching and very clear diagrams to work with.

[@FretDojo]

Thanks for your kind feedback Marion, glad you found this one useful :-)

[@dermotgleeson7647]

I have been playing guitar for 40 years plus. The information here most valuable . Its gets you away from box shapes that trap so many people. It talks about minor 3rd that is a flat major 3rd and flat 7th when you want to play Dorian. It avoids playing a F major scale that have the same notes at G Dorian by moving back to the first fret. Use the same position starting on the 3rd fret but just Flatten the Major 3rd and major 7th note and you are there. By thinking this way you are improving your theory knowledge and your playing becomes more economical. All the notes you need are there right under your fingers. Forget patterns learn the notes. This is a top drawer lesson. The best information I have seen on the internet in years.

[@kjguitarman]

Love you teaching style and pragmatism for navigating the neck. Extremely helpful and logical! Thank you!

[@FretDojo]

Very happy to hear your kind feedback K J! Thanks so much 🙏

[@bobsaturday4273]

I've been playing for more years than I'd like to admit and have a good grasp of scales but you do have a novel approach that is like another wrench in the toolbox in being fluent playing across the whole fretboard . I admit that I'd been stuck in positions sometimes and this really does help to break out with your observations on the ease of visualizing the basic patterns in different spots .

[@616161Ms]

Giddy Greg, I've searched so many you tube vids and stumbled across you and modes are confusing 7 keys plus 7 modes blah blah but you just opened a door that's easy to play Thanks much appreciated 🙏

[@TheTwangKings]

It makes all the sense in the world. It's the way to play scales !

[@jezuzjuize]

finally someone who’s not trying to explain theory but showing us HOW TO APPLY IT

[@FretDojo]

Thanks, glad you appreciate it. The theory is important but, as you alluded to, being able to confidently use it to create great music is what really matters!

[@franciskok4578]

Methinks you have given me the key to open a door to the scale patterns. I know that there are many doors but this is the key to the entrance.

[@Baghdadbatterymusic]

Your videos have helped me sooo much. Finally starting to wrap my head around playing jazz. As a long time blues player, your methods are exactly what I needed to help me break into jazz

[@FretDojo]

Thanks so much for your kind feedback Jack - I'm glad that these videos have helped you out!

[@Joseph124269]

What a relief😅! I loved the first part of the pattern lesson.; it really makes it easy to play the scale and to improvise. I play keyboard and always wanted to see the guitar fretboard as I see the piano keyboard…. And I think I got the point from your lesson. Thank you Greg.

[@georgesember9069]

The material sounds so good!

[@Flyright07]

Thank you for connecting the dots. Liked and Subscribed. Off to binge watch your other videos for some more tasty tips. 👍

[@buzzsears2588]

I have been a student and player of classical guitar since the early 70s... I have Aaron Shearer's Scale Book which is almost 300 pages of scales, patterns and studies. The way you present this is awesome and easy to understand. Any yes I do think you are on to something.

[@FretDojo]

I remember Aaron Shearer! Have you ever read through his Classical Guitar Technique Book? Slur, ornament and reach development exercises to your hearts content

[@redelk2974]

Wonderful. Cant wait to work on this. Excellent, clear, concise, doable. Fabulous tutorial.

[@mikemyles4916]

I practice linear patterns (to break out of boxes), so they are not new for me, but explicitly thinking about them as connected one octave segments is a helpful concept. Easier to envision and work trough on the fly than treating a linear run as one long pattern - which is what I tend to do. Actually, I kind of think of linear runs as parts of boxes linked together rather than extending & repeating one octave pattern. I definitely see myself re-imagining loads of scales and arpeggios this way to simplify how I think about them. Thanks!

[@FretDojo]

Re--imaging how we approach a lot of things on the fretboard is an ongoing process for all of us. Learning the scales all on one string really helps as well!

[@TwelveSticks]

I think that's very useful Greg. Thanks.

[@DavidBrown-ez5jc]

Hey friend thank you for a great lesson pure logic that is often overlooked this has helped me big time

[@FretDojo]

Happy to help!

[@douggarceauguitarandstuff7863]

Hi Greg, I like this approach. I 've done a similar thing with pentatonic scales over the entire fretboard. I'm a scale lover and use the boxes a lot. for me, in the key of D major, the box starting on F# also represents the phrygian mode by changing the tonal center. In doing so for all the boxes, you have phrygian in all 5 boxes without changing any fingering and so forth with Maj, min, mix and dorian. Knowing scales makes it easy to pick up nice little tips like yours today very easy. Thanks

[@bluenote131]

This is a great way to get started with Jazz soloing. I love the out-of-the-box way of re-conceptualizing scales to give us a three-octave range that connects the dots. The bonus was showing us how to adapt this to the modes. Really great work, Greg!

[@davidforsyth389]

I agree whole heartedly with you on this approach as I only started to understand scales/modes by thinking of them as variations of the major scale. Being self taught I kept this to myself as I thought it was probably ‘wrong’. The flat 3 flat 7 change you showed at the end is exactly where I am headed now as I love the sound of a minor seventh chord but never sure how to play around it. Many thanks. I am now not alone !!

[@JSDJerry]

Very clearly presented, and it makes sense. Thanks Greg. Another tool in toolbox. I'll add this to using and connecting individual arpeggios, i.e., progressions, or use melodic embellishment, to create an improvided musical statement,

[@FretDojo]

Yes this is a very useful method and can really help tie everything together that you've learnt across the fretboard. Thanks for watching Jerry!

[@howgreatisourgodgreatminds3032]

Great lesson, God bless you Sir. You have opened our hearts and minds to MUSIC

[@FretDojo]

Thank you kindly for listening!

[@manufakturawnetrza9568]

This is great! Very powerfull concept! I am starting learn this,Thanks a lot!

[@FretDojo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pban02]

Best method I have seen so far to simplify learning the fretboard. And it is so versatile. Thanks Greg 😀

[@danstewart4529]

Thanks Greg! I’ve just been looking at scales to play. This is very helpful. I’ll use one pattern up and a different pattern back down.

[@FretDojo]

My pleasure Dan! Yes experiment with this system and use it as a springboard for something that works for you 👍

[@bobbyk3469]

New to Jazz guitar, but this really does help to understand. Feels great to break out of boxed patterns and this is the first video I've seen that makes it clear. Well done.

[@FretDojo]

Glad you found this helpful Bobby - I appreciate your kind feedback!

[@peterprice6365]

most comfortable and comprehensive pattern i've seen will work on this for sure.

[@michaelkjazz4910]

Absolutely excellent !! ....... I'm going to work on that !!

[@FretDojo]

Excellent!

[@isolateddemon9438]

Best jazz channel ever.Keep it up

[@stringsofpassion2598]

Excellent lesson, some ideas like these are a mind brusher for Jazz guitarists.

[@alfredbellanti3755]

Got this PDF ages ago, printed it but had not practised with the video. Seeing the video again increased my understanding and was able to gel your concept. Thanks again Greg. 🙂

[@emilbordon1329]

Really good lesson - clear, concise and elucidating.

[@FretDojo]

Glad it helped!

[@jimmustard242]

Always useful to stress training your ear to recognize these scales I would think.

[@alanvoss2981]

Brilliant Greg. Something to fall back on any time one gets lost doing true on-the-spot improvisation. All the best Alan

[@FretDojo]

Thanks my good friend Papa Voss! Great to hear from you 👍

[@Mauitaoist]

I think it's fantastic that you can come up with another method to help us see the different scale shapes and all that's good so I'm going to practice this give it a fair shot I added to my repertoire of skill sets and let muscle memory take over

[@mykhelderian]

What a clever way to approach this. I think I am going to find this to be a very valuable technique

[@JohnMiller-gw1we]

I am somewhat new to guitar but have found this way of looking a notes much less confusing plus it makes it easier to understand the intervals.

[@FretDojo]

Awesome John! Great you found this helpful 👍

[@donny6997]

Tremendously Helpful! Thank You so Much

[@OtRatsaphong]

Hi Greg, I’m new to the guitar and jazz guitar especially. Also just discovered your channel. A few weeks ago I was learning the Major scale on the fretboard and saw this pattern, which helped me make sense of the fretboard. I think it was because I was learning piano before I came to the guitar. I like the way you used the pattern to work out the Dorian scale. Makes much more sense. Thanks for sharing this lesson. It is much better to use the fretboard like the piano. 👍👍👍

[@mmorrison7591]

14:43 love it get i gonna try it now

[@jamisongriffith6308]

Hell yeah, Greg! Thanks for making this content. I picked up this pattern from Randy Rhoads playing, but never made the connection you could transfer it to all the root notes across the fretboard. Super powerful and makes scales fun again 😃

[@FretDojo]

Thanks for checking out the video Jamison, yes it's a very effective way to organize the fretboard. Glad you found this useful! 🎸🎸🎸

[@JazzStrat781]

Excellent content always 🎸

[@FretDojo]

Thanks very much for your kind feedback!

[@huntsail3727]

Enjoyed this great job! Suscribed, found out about this clip via one of your emails. Looking forward to seeing more

[@caryl246]

Thanks. Incredibly useful!

[@terryowens169]

Hey Gregg,. You opened the CAGE(D) for me. You are great. Thanks for the work u r doin in the community.

[@garrycraigpowell]

Another great video, Greg. Thanks.

[@FretDojo]

Thanks Garry - glad you liked this one!

[@garylubbe3286]

Good job friend, great clarity in your lessons.

[@austinhall2362]

Great concept.

[@analogeye6394]

Very nicely done video. I had stumbled over this concept a bit through my own messing around, but somehow hadn't processed the degree to which this could be translated into other scales beyond the major. This showed me the utility of thinking about other modes as simply slight alterations of the same pattern. I guess the next step for me would be thinking about how this approach is then applied when composing/improvising lines over chord progressions.

[@jiontefuller7145]

Great lesson

[@jeandominique9353]

A simple way. One could play melodies all day with this method.

[@johnshimizu]

That's brilliant!👍

[@FretDojo]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@martinfennemore7905]

Great ,a simple explanation.👍🎸🎸

[@FretDojo]

Glad you found this easy to follow Martin!

[@TomClarkSouthLondon]

Incredible 🙏🏽👍

[@rocklee33333]

Thank you. Very helpful

[@FretDojo]

Glad that this was helpful to you!

[@testopatia106]

Thank you Gregg.

[@sisilkumara7843]

Thank you sir very helpful

[@davidtaylor6870]

Great video, now to some practice

[@alfredbellanti3755]

Anything we can learn is vauable Greg.

[@francescoguercio6008]

thank you! It works :)

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

An excellent lesson! Not only practical but also a way of exercising your mind and fingers in finding notes around the fretboard, rather than rote learning I’ll be honest … the whole CAGED system....something I’ve avoided Whilst I learnt, and use, a sort of CAGED system on my guitar, I was also told that it's one of the easiest things to teach and understand incorrectly. Frank, my late teacher, said that it was never meant for more than having a sort of mental 'map' of available notes over chord grips. Once you leave the major scale patterns and start to get to harmonic minor or melodic minor shapes, it kinda gets a little bit of an exercise in cataloguing , rather than a collection of USEABLE scale or chord shapes! I rarely play scales straight up and down from any of my CAGED grips; they're decorated arpeggios as the song and my ear dictates. The only time I play a straight scale or sequence, I tend to prepare in advance and use finger friendly, economic patterns. Joe Pass was considered the doyen of CAGED, and certainly taught something similar to it, but he used it to visualise chord shapes for comping or chord melody, not for scales Books like Bill Edwards’ Fretboard Logic series even claim that the CAGED system is the reason the guitar is tuned as it is...a bit chicken before the egg Sorry I’m digressing 😀

[@mmorrison7591]

Just right for me thank you

[@keith247]

Clear explanation.

[@rubo1964]

Dude! You are amazing!

[@FretDojo]

Thanks Ruben! Very kind of you 😅

[@michaeljohnbaptiste8309]

Thanks that's cool , I like the vibes

[@garytrent1]

Thank you for a great lesson that was very very helpful I thank you really on to something

[@luis.steinhorst]

Great method!!!

[@nickowen1480]

Hi Greg, find the method both useful and practical in terms of (I) learning the symmetry of the fretboard and (II) being able to explore more of the fretboard - both things you mention. Thanks Nick Melbourne

[@FretDojo]

Thanks very much for your feedback - glad you found this video useful!

[@johnclark1925]

Cool. I play in prefect 4ths so this repeating pattern system works very well for me. Thanks for sharing… I will check your website courses. 😎👍

[@marvinmaricic9006]

I have naturally but awkwardly begun to do this. Thank you for making sense of something that actually makes sense...

[@jackgreene9007]

Great lessons really liked your lesson on chord voiceings

[@GGutierrez]

Lydian and Mixolydian are also easily derived from the Ionian. Thank you.....!

[@sockenfrank]

Very usefull. Another “box“ to work with and get the fretboard under the finger.

[@FretDojo]

Yes good to have a clear system for the fretboard - glad you found this useful 👍

[@katrad333]

My 1st instrument is piano, but playing my guitar is great ear training. It changes everything up. I want to know every note I am playing on the guitar, not just memorize chord shapes. So, I moved away from box positions and was developing a system similar to your system. You have helped me move along in this system, as it makes sense to me. Thanks.

[@FretDojo]

You're very welcome Katherine, I am glad you enjoyed the video! Good luck in your guitar journey.

[@kenhazlin5860]

Thank you!

[@edjazz39]

Thank you!!!

[@arnoldlayne5863]

Awesome! thank you

[@jaybarber68]

Ok, I memorized the full fretboard scale. I think I like it, tomorrow I’ll learn your 3 jazz chords!

[@philmorris7974]

Great tips for a struggling beginner!

[@FretDojo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dovantuanvlog]

*Thank you for sharing!👍🛎 wish you success!*

[@woodward_alan]

I think your on to something here. Thanks for making this video.

[@FretDojo]

Thanks for your kind feedback Alan :-)

[@dsiewert100]

As a novice player, I've been learning the scales based on placing the root of the scale on any string and learning the associated intervals given the root of the scale. Similar, but you've given it a bit more polish and structure. You present a nice overview of your framework. What I've been wondering lately, and you allude to it, concerns the fundamental lack of symmetry in the standard guitar tuning. The standard tuning is very useful because almost all tabs and lessons one finds assumes the player will use it. None the less, tuning the guitar to fourths across all the strings is very interesting because now the same pattern for a scale (or chord) work regardless of which string the root is placed. Example: In standard tuning, if i have a shell chord shape that spans 4 strings, the shape must change when it moves from the root on the sixth string to moving the root to the fifth string, and it changes again when the root is placed on the fourth string. Tuning the guitar to all fourths, the chord shape doesn't need to change when moving the root from the sixth string, to the fifth or fourth. Similarly the scale pattern doesn't need to change. Granted the world operates in standard tuning. But fourths seems to simplify playing chords as well as simplifying improvisation. Wondering about your thoughts on the matter.

[@FretDojo]

Hey Dean, Thanks for watching! That's an interesting question I could write on about, but instead, check out my interview with Jazz Guitarist Ant Law who uses this crazy 4ths tuning.

[@glenryseff9858]

Another good puzzle piece on the way to fretboard fluency

[@ROCHAVILLAS]

Fiquei fã a primeira vista Parabéns 👏 pela didática

[@wimbanu98]

Great !

[@FretDojo]

Glad you liked this video Antok!

[@badgoodmit949]

Excellent idea Greg...less info is better! 😎

[@FretDojo]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching

[@futureskyguitar6319]

Thank you.

[@FretDojo]

You are very welcome!