15 Scales Every Guitarist Should Know (In Order)

Here's my roadmap for scales!
Minor Pentatonic deep dive: • How to Play The Pentat...
Major Pentatonic deep dive: • The SECOND Most Import...
I'm working on more deep dives as we speak!
Follow me on Instagram: / kevinnickens
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Thanks for watching!

[@hazybunk]

0:16 A huge respect for this guy not waiting us for 12 minutes to find out the answer

[@robbaldwin2402]

My friend is "helping" me understand music theory, and he will go from 0 to 100 in two seconds when he "explains" how that chord I just played can be transformed by using the Autobot/Decepticon Modes with their various fourths, flat fifths and perfect tits. This video made a lot more sense than that.

[@quicksilver90-g8h]

Lmfao that does feel like it doesn't it

[@kevinnickens]

lol, hilarious comment. Glad this helped out!

[@TheMrInfantaria]

The scale with perfect tits is the hardest one to play

[@jpisdistraught]

best comment

[@lonorca4781]

Bro you killed me 😂😂

[@user-dq4mf7ck2b]

this guy just keeps reading our minds

[@kevinnickens]

That’s what I do

[@AIshorts940]

And that what called super intelligence

[@yume3166]

Dude, you should know that your KZbin content is some of the best stuff I've ever seen. Definitely in the guitar space, but also in general. You do a great job getting to the point and being honest, rather than making people wait until the end or promising a magical beginner to pro exercise. It's a real breath of fresh air on this site. Really glad I found this channel.

[@kevinnickens]

Thanks so much

[@JimmyHimself]

Can we get an ear learning video, please?? 🙏 🙏 I've been struggling a lot learning songs by ear, and you are the only teacher i understand

[@nafisulhaque5462]

As someone with ADHD, I always had a hard time with structured courses and stuff. So when I started learning guitar recently, I was having a hard time finding out how to learn it. Your videos are absolutely fantastic. They give me exactly what I need to learn and I can even try out advanced stuff whenever I get bored of the basics. Thank you for that man.

[@kevinnickens]

That’s great! Glad the video helped!

[@haraldkagejin519]

The guitar messenger of the guitar gods back at it to enlighten us with some knowledge! Since I started watching your videos, i can see some improvements in my practice. Thank you very much! 🙏

[@jncdidier777]

Excellent you have unpacked alot ,but your simplicity makes it easy to catch up with . Thanks

[@jwm6314]

This is exactly what I needed right now in my learning curve. Thank you!

[@wayneswan3092]

Not going to lie, the "click bait" method worked! Cause i was like, " wait, 15??, what did I miss?" Thank you for the info! While I already know OF these, you reminded me to get back to practicing and memorizing them again.

[@briandeckard6566]

Funny how we learn these things and then get out of practice and have to take a refresher course lol

[@leognutzmann]

Really good content, keep up with the good work!

[@chefdave12118]

This video is so helpful to me. I can not thank you enough for this breakdown. I'm only 2 months in and have been doing the Am Pentatonix ONLY not really know why or what to do with it. Just saw a YT vid doing the Am Pentatonix and did it. I can not wait to watch this video after work and go over them all and add a bunch to my practice

[@Noah-lo9we]

Dude thank you so much for this. This is exactly what I needed when I needed it lmao much appreciated 🙏🏻

[@st3r23]

Thanks for going into detail

[@con3728]

Kevin is such a G. Started playing guitar 2 months ago and his vids really help me out

[@nikke000]

Kevin g?

[@ShackSllayer]

Picked up guitar a few months back started off learning easy songs and skipped some basics I should’ve gotten down first. This video was a major help😊

[@levigregorytiama5448]

I’ve been playing drums for years and recently been diving into guitar and these videos have been a god send thank you kev!

[@kevinnickens]

Glad to hear it Leviathan! You had to switch to guitar bc my wife stole your drums lol

[@babiikakes7922]

Started playing 2 years ago. This was extremely helpful. Thanks!

[@TheAlexsennin]

brother, all the other video out there take hours to explain basically nothing, all nonsense, you go directly to the point and teach us in a clear way! success my man, started playing 1mo ago and I want to go higher... thx for the videos

[@KelseySimmons-bu8su]

wow this guy really knows his stuff!! great teaching and great video buddy :)

[@troy_243]

Great video!

[@fighter_pilot]

I appreciate what you do bro. Keep putting put content.

[@kingbalec2927]

First time learning more scales than the major scale and minor pentatonic. You explained it perfectly. Was able to put on a backing track to practice the scales on it and now just in 42 minutes i amable to use the scales :) thanks a lot man!!

[@ranman58635]

Good stuff here! I'm 30 years in and just now getting to where you are pointing. Know the a minor pentatonic scale well. It's Def opened me up to playing with others with zero experience doing that.

[@Ndlfk]

Thank you sooo much!!!! I struggled so much with that!!!!

[@tom28753]

Great lesson.

[@Srobinson102]

As a beginner, I REALLY struggled with scales being labelled "The Scale" because searching around the topic became almost impossible. I also think it's stupid that we called Position 1 Minor one shape but then Position 1 Major is a different shape, which also happens to be Position 2 of the minor. For me, position 1 is position 1, it's the same for major and minor with roots in different spots. It's far easier to remember and apply this way IMO. I'm taking lessons and my pathway to scales has been so clear and smooth because it all built on information I already knew. 1. Shapes 1 and 2. Slide sits on the G string below the root on the D string. Slide is also where the bend is. 2. Add Shape 3. Slide sits on the D string directly below the root on the A string. Slide is also where the bend is. 3. Add Shape 4. Slide is on the B string, below the root on the G string. Slide is also where the bend is. 4. Add Shape 5. Slide is on the A string, below the root on the E string. Slide is also a bend. 5. Practice going 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 1 and back. 6. Practice 8th note phrasing with 1 bar on 1 bar off, always resolving to a root. Work through all 5 shapes. 7. Press the speed up to 140 bpm of 8th note cookie cutter phrasing to the roots. Work through all 5 shapes. 8. Add in hammer ons, bends and pull offs. 9. Practice phrasing without always resolving. 10. Solo. Hope this is helpful for someone or maybe even an alternative view point for you Kevin.

[@Andre_tc]

Slides are everywhere. Practice them in every string. "The " thing and different positions name for the same shape means you lack musical theory knowledge. It's ok if you don't want to learn it but don't call things you don't understand "stupid".

[@kicikocani1]

briliant straight to the point ❤🎉

[@FuriousWeasel-09]

Incredibly helpful

[@reactivelemur846]

Kevin, i've been subscribed to this channel for a while now. And i've gotta say, this is one on THE BEST channels i've ever seen. You give people lessons for free on youtube that otherwise would have been payed. I pay my guitar teacher and we usually just learn songs, a bit of theory and nothing more, but you, without even being payed, give the most informative lessons on youtube alongside a few other youtubers that have 10x your subscribers. Really, we love you, this channel deserves way more subscribers than it already has. (Sorry for any mispellings or grammar errors, i'm not a native speaker)

[@kevinnickens]

Thanks so much! I appreciate you guys for watching and leaving super kind comments like this one!

[@KaranSingh-js7cr]

One thing i have learnt from this video is as follows, I used to play the diatonic scale all over the fret board but never knew i was playing different modes, but now i know, thank you for helping me unlock something new

[@kevinnickens]

Glad you learned something!

[@earledaniels4539]

The way I remember the diatonic scales is to memorize the 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 positions (ie: 5 scale shapes). Then lydian, scale 4 is just phrygian, scale 3 without playing the first note. The lochrian, scale 7 is just the ionian, scale 1 with an added note half a step before the first note. I find this method helpful because you only have to remember five scale shapes instead of seven.

[@jeffrobodeenyehcmon5925]

I really like this video because I can just practice all these scales from one video. Thank you.

[@SNCBB15]

This is exactly what i needed. I have been asking my father for years for a comprehensive list of scales i must learn and he could never give me a list because there are just so many. Sincerely thank you for this.

[@shawnw401]

Thanks for this. I played drums for 40+ years, and know i am Learning to play the guitar is a so great thank you for your content. Shawn

[@BlackCanvasAudio]

EXCELLENT LESSON!!!

[@yaelnata]

thank you so much this helps a ton 🙏🙏🙏

[@gordoperochulo8526]

This video is a godsend thank you

[@darrenhalik1732]

Hey, 4am crazed music nerd commenter here, that explanation you put at 11.20 was very very insightful. I've recently been playing lose control by teddy swims in a cover band (which features a major V chord in a minor key) and what you said on screen really made it make sense why it sounds so good. Cheers

[@kevinnickens]

Glad I could help the fellow crazed 4am music nerds out there

[@TheServal]

I do like your style of teaching 😎

[@brianbarker2190]

Why did it take me so long to find a video that breaks down the scales like this? Very helpful

[@alejandroscaffa92]

Commenting to say that I'm watching the whole video but I pressed like immediately at the 19 second mark. Subscribed before even finishing the video. Really refreshing, thank you!

[@goliviraja2941]

You are excellent, and inspiring to learning Guitarists. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@premadaya5122]

You are amazing, thank you

[@kevinbuenoartbywave]

Thank you so much Kevin for your hard work; can you organize your playlist so that I can watch it in order I would love to replay many of your videos and binge in a certain chronology, thanks in advance.

[@StopPanakinAnakin]

I love you. Thank you. So very much. I will get such incredible use out of this information. Sub for sure.

[@edgelorddragneel1142]

you are doing the lord's work. You don't know how much it is helping me, a self taught guitarist. Please make some on picking styles

[@AkashMondal-lq3hh]

thank you sir ❤

[@user-ll3kl1pv8l]

We gonna learn soon

[@ZDawg.Official]

Thanks for the list bro byyyyeeeeee 0:19 😂🤣😂 Awesome video🤟🏾💪🏾🤟🏾

[@amara-rm4wq]

0:55 Minor Pentatonic Scale 2:17 Major Pentatonic Scale 4:02 Major And Minor Scale 6:35 5-12 Scales

[@therockbox4979]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@pokemousse9990]

We want more deep dives please

[@kevinnickens]

More deep dives, coming in hot!

[@tyroneprivott9309]

Thanks a lot Bro. You help me out a lot. From Bro .Tyrone God Bless.

[@OURSKIESTODAY]

New sub, thanks. ,🎸👍

[@travisgotch161]

You had me as soon as I saw the Peter Frampton album cover

[@Bakerfamilyvideos]

Thx

[@aeongjin2028]

can you do a video about proper guitar techniques? 🙏🙏 because i need to cross my legs which places the guitar in a higher position to play some barre chords to create sound

[@bigjimstream]

Liked and subscribed. Thanks for the content. I do recommend going forward to provide exactly what you promise in the title or more. I think there is so much value in your video that people won't mind but overall it's not a good tactic imo.

[@missanthrope2]

❤😮❤ great lesson sir. Do you have the tab and musical notation for all these scales? It would be nice

[@Edo708]

was just thinking if u had a video like this 😂

[@user-uf2lk8xq7h]

Good day sir could you please show us all kind of minor in bar chords and how to hold it like can you pls upload with with different bar chords only pls

[@jaimedominicpanelo7246]

In playing entire chord progression, dont play the modes or scales vertically. Only up to 6 degrees of notes ( 3 notes per string) are to be played straight using the top 2 strings, then the next 2 strings will be played as the next octave with the next mode pattern, and so on. This appears playing diagonally descending and may be played ascending or combination. Remember to fit about 4 to 6 notes per beat to form 1 bar of lick pattern. Scales are guides to create your own lick patterns (with intervals or skipped notes, usually the 3rd and 5th degrees are skipped to sound tensional). These lick patterns must be connected with the next mode sequence using the same lick patterned on each of the different modes. In one phrase or one complete progression, at least 2 mode patterns are played in sequence.

[@schmidt1917]

Goat

[@matthewcross3338]

Can someone tell me how all the modes relate to the 5 caged scales? Which modes go to which caged scale?

[@lilbernard183]

This mf explains shit so clearly it blows my mind. GOAT

[@Cripsy85]

5:20 - true however i dont understand why pentatonics scales are generally taught to end at the second(major) or third (minor)

[@gabrielputhenpurackal7296]

KEVIN : THE CONTENT IN THIS VIDEO IS NOT MEANT TO LEARN IN ONE SITTING meanwhile me who is about to finish learning all of this in one sitting

[@pazz6708]

For some reason this guy reminds me of Wil Wheaton from Star Trek next Generation.

[@LearnThaiRapidMethod]

Wonderful. Very useful. However, there’s no music - I can’t figure out what you’re playing without transcribing the notes you’re playing physically in the video in slow motion. Do you have any downloads?

[@Casey250]

No love for the monotonic scale. 😪

[@kevinnickens]

EEEEEEE and then it repeats

[@AbeC368]

Remember to practice it in every key

[@matt79hz]

I can do this in all positions !

[@jamesfreeman8247]

Thank you.

[@aeea3306]

Once you know how chords are formed these scales are pretty easy to understand

[@merrittmussorgsky2937]

What about diminished and wholetone scales and the modes of melodic minor and harmonic minor???? Smh also dominant pentatonic is extremely useful

[@jacksklazy7672]

I’ve only been playing guitar for a year already know the harmonic minor… wtf I worked backwards 😭

[@franksgreatdecline]

thank you guitar mom

[@hipnofago2102]

As a metal fan and player, I learned the harmonic minor (phrygian dominant as well) very early, at the point that, playing for 1 year, I made three songs not using any pentatonic, but diatonic and specially the harmonic minor. I don't remember when I trully understood its intervals, but the term tritone was already there by defaut as a Black Sabbath fan, whose first couple riffs were Black Sabbath, Iron Man and Paranoid. Nowadays, I stay away from pentatonic, 'cause I really dislike it, and still compose using diatonic modes and very sparsely hirajoshi (which is another pentatonic, but doesn't sound like a rock cliche), diminished and whole tone scale. The next step for me is understanding the chords used in each mode; I kinda now how to make chords, but naming them is another thing.

[@vloggingismyhobby]

I memorized all the 1 to 5 position pentatonic scale. But my problem is how can I apply them to make a solo or adlib? That is my big problem I didn't know how to make a solo or adlib. In different kinds of songs and different kinds of Chords progression.🤔

[@moogan2561]

What helped me was just finding a backing track on KZbin, mostly southern rock or something because it's easier to play to. Just start out with 2 strings in a scale for example, I used the D and G string and just played around. It's weird and awkward at first but eventually you get an ear for the sound of the notes and what sounds good. Hope this helps

[@hugokappes4077]

take the first shape with the root note top and bottom, and stretch both ends to play across the fretboard diagonally, its the easiest fingering to track a run down and up, and you can hit every note in any order as you go,, a backing track, blues or rock on youtube should have a nice note map you can follow to work this out,,

[@nickreyes5231]

same problem to me

[@hugokappes4077]

@@nickreyes5231 my advice as above , john Mayer calls it the pentatonic equator, stay centered there until you can hear what you are doing against a backing track , you just have to experiment a lot to become good at improvisation,, when you are familiar with this placement put an artist on that you can follow to see where they land , this is just going to take time, the more time you invest the better,, there is no magic trick , improvising and playing lead is just finding inventive ways to use the notes of the scale, and a few other things ,

[@smnh_]

Nice vid! But: Think next time you should mix the guitar little bit quiter, sometimes the volume in relation to your voice is a little bit pain.

[@AakamshD]

0:22

[@maxime1776]

Hey!

[@kevinnickens]

Hey!

[@dotner7976]

Ay it’s a bait click bait world out here we love you dw thank you for teaching me scales

[@gunnarviator8971]

Hey dude, when I google major and minor pentatonic scales I get diagrams of all kinds of different shapes from what you showed. Why is there so much discrepancy in shapes, I thought the shape didn’t change as you moved into different keys.

[@andrewdensmore4176]

because its all about the notes of what a pentatonic is .. example : A minor pentatonic is taking the minor scale and excluding the second note and 6th giving you A C D E G. so whereever those notes lay on the fretboard ( to the left of your starting position or the right. so when you play those notes you are playing A minor pentatonic they can even be on the same string or 2 strings or all strings its all about the notes . until you look at the harmony underneath..... then it gets fun

[@kevinnickens]

Great question, the short answer is basically different people call the same scale different things, and they also use the same name for entirely different scales. What I’ve presented in this video is the most commonly used terminology. If you get lost or confused, just compare the charts that I presented for the scales, because the charts will never lie. People might name the chart 1000 different things, but it’s still the same chart. Hope this helps!

[@gunnarviator8971]

@@kevinnickensthank you for responding! I’m going to adhere to the scale shapes/positioning you listed in this video. Learning 5 totally distinct finger positions along the neck just for a single scale, for example, for the minor pentatonic scale, just sounds exhausting... Hopefully other guitarists don’t make fun of me.

[@itsalexx601]

Is it the same on acoustic

[@kevinnickens]

Yes

[@andrewdobosz3682]

😂

[@roshanpun2180]

❤️🇳🇵

[@p5ych1x86]

can somebody explain, why?

[@Andre_tc]

That's really confusing for people... and not 15 (14) scales. Major pentatonic 5 shapes, the same shapes as the minor pentatonic. Same for the Major and minor and the 5 other modes. The same 5 shapes for all of them. The only thing changing is your root note. Then there are the harmonic and melodic minor scales with their own shapes. So learning only 5 shapes you can play the 7 modes (including major and minor) all along the fretboard. Subtract 2 notes to those 5 shapes and you can play major and minor pentatonics all along the fretboard too. Add 1 note to the pentatonic to play the blues scale which is not mentioned here.

[@Zesffy]

do you have any specific sources that I can find in order to learn more theory, how did you go about doing it?

[@ensoniq2k]

Although I've been playing for about 20 years now I only recently started learning the scales. I stumbled upon the channel www.youtube.com/@fretscience who explains the patterns behind the scales very well. In fact up until 12 (Locrian Mode) basically everything is the same, you just have to start in a different position. You can start learning the pentatonic and then for the major / minor scale you have to add two notes in specific places. From there you just have to remember on which finger the root note lies for all the modes and you're set. It's still a lot of practice, but I think it's a way better way of learning if you can derive everything from a few easy to remember patterns when you're practicing instead of having to read it from sheets until you're confident enough to know it by heart.

[@shannonnickens]

First!! Yay!!🎉

[@kevinnickens]

Thanks mom!

[@TheServal]

😆

[@NutS23]

But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without a cause.' -John 15:25

[@yrrr_adii]

Learn ragas

[@charleslanphier8094]

15 scales, for what? Play first guitar in an orchestra?

[@Enryu_CZX]

What do you mean?

[@coconejococonejo]

The info might be good, but the shitty clickbaity thumbnail makes me don't want to watch the video

[@rickycarter536]

The tricky part is playing all the scale all over the fretboard and being able to play them starting not only from the root. Like playing 3 note per string starting from the 5th of the scale. Playing 3 different pentatonic scales in the same position.

[@KelseySimmons-bu8su]

wow this guy really knows his stuff!! great teaching and great video buddy :)