MAJOR SCALE Guitar Patterns - How to REALLY know them

Major scale guitar patterns allow us to see notes within a major scale grouped together in positions on the guitar. Definitely learn these 5 patterns but practice them this way to see all the scale roots.
➡ FREE PDF: Top 3 Pentatonic Scale Patterns for more melodic soloing ➡ bit.ly/3lIQujx
Weekly Lesson #71
FULL PLAYLIST OF THIS SERIES: • SERIES: Scale Types in...
LESSON CONTENT OUTLINE WITH TIMESTAMP LINKS
0:00 - Major scale example intro
0:10 - About this lesson & channel
1:38 - Diagrams of the 5 major scale guitar patterns
2:14 - Labeling the 5 scale patterns
3:10 - Why we need to target the scale root
4:58 - The Root to Root Method Rules
5:43 - Demonstration of all five major scale guitar patterns
6:52 - Next steps to master the scale patterns
7:22 - Example of melodic 3rds scale pattern
8:51 - Technique reminders for scale practice
9:25 - Conclusion, outro, & Free PDF
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO AND RELATED LESSONS:
• How to Learn Guitar Chords Music Theory Series: • SERIES: Chord Theory: ...
• Scale Types in 5 Positions (root to root) Series Playlist: • SERIES: Scale Types in...
• Scales playlist: • TOPIC: Scales
• Lead guitar playlist: • TOPIC: Lead Guitar
• Beginning guitar playlist: • TOPIC: Beginner Friendly
• Fretboard mapping playlist: • TOPIC: Fretboard Mapping
• Modes playlist: • TOPIC: Modes
Help me help you by taking my Guitar Goals Evaluation (super short, two-question survey that takes less than one minute): bit.ly/3avyPt1
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
How well do you know the five major scale guitar patterns?
Do you know them equally well or do you jump to some scale patterns more than others?
Most importantly, can you clearly see where all the roots are within each of the guitar patterns? Knowing where the roots are within major scale forms is everything.
Seeing the roots clearly allows us to actually treat a major scale pattern as minor (or another mode), and helps us to track where we are in a key.
Needless to say this is invaluable for improvising, composing, and learning new music faster.
I have a super simple and effective way to practice all five major scale patterns on the guitar to get them down once and for all by targeting the roots in a specific way.
And that’s what this lesson is all about.
#majorscale #guitarscales #scalepatterns #guitarlesson #guitar #scalepatterns #majorscaleguitar
My website: www.soundguitarlessons.com/
This is the first lesson in a new series for how to map out and finally learn all five guitar scale patterns of various scale types. I know that some people have been playing guitar for a long time and still don’t have these five major scale guitar patterns totally down, or they know them but don’t see where the roots are clearly enough to take advantage of using them to their full potential. Stay tuned for more scale types coming up and use the link at the top of the description to go to playlist that includes all of these scale shape lessons.
➡ FREE PDF: Top 3 Pentatonic Scale Patterns for more melodic soloing ➡ bit.ly/3lIQujx
I hope you enjoyed this lesson and found it beneficial. Let me know what you thought in the comments. Thanks! :)
- Jared
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➡ Enjoying my free weekly guitar lessons and interested in giving back? You can support my channel and help keep it going by donating here: www.soundguitarlessons.com/do...
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[@soundguitar]

➡ FREE PDF: Top 3 Pentatonic Scale Patterns for more melodic soloing ➡ bit.ly/3lIQujx

[@hitesh_blues2353]

C'mon guys this channel deserves a million subscribers :) This lesson has further helped me to connect the 5 shapes over the fretboard.

[@soundguitar]

Glad it helped! You're very kind :)

[@arefhandles]

Though RIP to those who tried this on a acoustic guitar,

[@Jamsville]

Great lesson! It’s so important to always be aware of where your root notes are to actually understand your scale patterns, instead of just playing them mindlessly.

[@soundguitar]

Exactly! Thanks :)

[@wallys123]

Wow! Long time player, mostly strumming and some picking. Finally in the process of learning scales/patterns and some theory. Currently taking face to face lessons and was hesitant about scrolling on YT because I did not want it to interfere with my lessons and send me down another rabbit hole; then I rolled onto this Gem. Jared, thank you for this comprehensive lesson. I may have to dig into your other material. Hoping someday this will all makes sense and I will start to see improvement in my guitar learning journey. This instructional video really helps.

[@soundguitar]

I'm so glad this helped! Thanks for your feedback and enthusiasm :)

[@mikeestrada5352]

Your guitar lessons really helped me play better and understand music theory easily. Thank you. Keep it up

[@soundguitar]

Yay, glad you found them helpful! Thanks :)

[@marlonknockaert3233]

Finally. after years of confusion, a bunch of videos trying to simplify things that only make it harder for me to understand. this feels the right, old fashioned way to learn it. I highly recommend everyone to just put on a C backing track and start learning to first shape. after that move down the neck, I can finally see some improvement just by trying this out, thank you so much Also, sick telecaster man

[@CanavanOfficial]

Man! I've been searching for "this" video for the last 3 months. So glad I found you! Thank you sir, liked and subbed!

[@polyphant]

Your lessons are really well detailed and powerful! Honestly thank you Jared, doing wonders on my mind and knowledge level :) ! 🙏

[@soundguitar]

Glad you like them! It's my pleasure. Thanks, Stuart!

[@wednesdayraeven78910]

simple. straightforward easy to understand definitely deserve a thumb up.

[@alexdelacruz185]

This tutorial literally opened my mapping mind! Thank you!

[@frazep1980]

such a nice content... What I really appreciate : the calm tone ... No overplayed YT content excitment. Thanks.

[@adoubleU587]

I watched this video, took notes and am happy to say I know the major scale back and forth. Really awesome plan. I use the pentatonic as a skeleton to speed up and down the neck and fill in as I go, truly a worthwhile video.

[@OtRatsaphong]

Hi Jared, I have been following your scale series for the last couple of days and would to let you know that this morning it finally clicked for me. I can now see how the 5 patterns fit on the fretboard. I’ll definitely be buying you a drink 🍺🍺 or two. Thank you 🙏. It feels like when I took the training wheels off my might many years ago. 👍👍👍 The thing that helped me the most was the root to root idea. Very useful!

[@soundguitar]

Yay! Congrats on breaking through to a new level of understanding. That's great to hear!! :) Thanks for sharing your progress :) ~~ Jared

[@paulwilliams4359]

It's about time I got into the music theory. After learning the 5 pentatonic scales these are great to learn after by adding a few notes. It's not so much to take in all at once and you can start playing almost straight way once you have each box down. Just got to start mixing up and down the fret board now. Thank you very much

[@orion-quest]

the calm vibe is so conducive to learning. 🖖

[@soundguitar]

Cheers, thanks! :) ~~ J

[@pianopill]

Best lesson ever!!! So clear and helpful - Thank you so much. :)

[@seangibson5314]

Another great video Jared. Thank you!

[@soundguitar]

Thanks, Sean!

[@choccooco]

I was a bit lost in learning the major scales and your video made everything seem clearer for me. thanks a lot

[@ambroseharper8316]

This makes so much sense, thank-you 👏

[@JordanEvansMusic]

Awesome tutorial great visuals!

[@soundguitar]

Thanks!

[@wagonet]

So good. Everyone learns differently. Your teachings are incredible. Really helpful for me and the way i like things taught. Cheers

[@woozee100]

incredible channel! Thanks!

[@garrycole8909]

Excellent! I have pretty much mastered this after almost a year of playing these consistently. It's awesome to have that kind of freedom on the fretboard. However, turning that into melodic statements to match a song is still time consuming. I guess there is no way out of having to pick out and learn the melody for each song. One thing I have noticed though is that while I was learning these, the ear becomes trained. Your ear and the fingers tend to work together almost subconsciously. That's a great help! Thanks Jarod.

[@thunderfromsea]

Excellent review and lesson guidance. NOW these make sense! After 5 months restarting guitar, I’ve tried different lessons on scale patterns and a bit confounded on how to start/practice and why! This went a long way to locking in the why and making sense of it all. Great practice guidance and throughly appreciated. Professional presentation skills too.

[@soundguitar]

Yay! I'm happy it helped :)

[@otmanblues4138]

Great lesson, Jared 👍 Thank You 🙏🦘 just starting to learn the guitar more serious and learning to familiarise myself with the Major scale on the fretboard.

[@soundguitar]

Right on, Otman! Keep it up! :)

[@bernardkoromah8306]

Excellent ! I have a definitely 👍 different outlook on scales patterns,I've been playing for 45 years. Thank you 😊.

[@BrandonBirdofficial]

45 years ! Wtf lol U should be the GOAT by now

[@979JuJu]

When I first learned scales, I played them using scale degrees; then I saw this video and was shocked to see them taught in another way. While I did get the hang of them, I do think the speed is too fast for myself and possibly others who are learning scales. I only speak on my behalf and my low playing skills haha 😅

[@tripledotter9520]

These lessons always tie-up the loose ends with missing skills to practice. Thanks

[@progjsa]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@soundguitar]

Glad you liked it!

[@scottbrown9685]

I’ve been playing a while but don’t like learning theory. I’m using this to sort my sh*t out and finally stop not being able to know where to play solo’s when music is being played in certain keys. I’m liking this dude so thanks for the help

[@HighStakesDanny]

Best on YT. All the others are just not giving you the basics. Don’t learn the 5 note scales, learn this and subtract notes if you want.

[@mabblers]

Great lesson. I didn't know that about the Root. Thanks

[@soundguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@EmJayPee]

Thank God, I found a great channel and it doesn’t have an American yelling excitedly at me. Thank you for your measured, gentle and easy to listen to tone!

[@andrewm3934]

Excellent thanks 😊

[@soundguitar]

Thank YOU

[@noraholiday7110]

you really help me play better thank you

[@soundguitar]

Glad to hear it! You're welcome, thank YOU

[@essian]

This is excellent, it’s such a pleasure to learn from someone who so clearly wants me to learn ❤ Could I ask a question though…do you have a video on playing scales with alternating fingers (right hand)? I’m not too sure what you mean, is that as a bass player would do?

*Very interesting sharing!👍🛎 wish you success!*

[@learningguitar7948]

I really like this mapping as compared to the "7 positions" you will often find. These make more sense based on chord forms, and map directly to the 5 pentatonic positions. If you know how these connect to each other, you get the overlapping positions from the "7 positions" automatically, in an easier way to visualize and map to chords!

[@thecruisecontrollers]

I've been watching your videos in this scale series. They are massively helpful and well explained! In each one, you recommend "improvising targeting the root." To do so, is it okay to just take songs we like and improvise soloing over them using the scale forms/patterns that are appropriate for the song?

[@raylt7]

THANK YOU

[@bustis84]

This looks easy for someone who knows what they’re doing and what to look for… yes you use the A pattern for the C major scale but what’s the pattern if I want to start in E major, G major, or A major?? What’s it look like or how does it move to suit the key? How are you determining what the patterns looks like? Can you post an example in a PDF or video?

[@klorand]

The patterns are the same, you just shift them left or right on the fretboard so that the root notes (marked with red on Jared's diagram) are the desired note.

[@JP-gt8qr]

Adore your lessons, simply amazing! By the way, is your tele custom shop, if not what model is it? Thanks in advance.

[@ericns95]

This is the most irformative channel I’ve ever came across on KZbin. So much valuable information! I wish I’d found this years ago!!! Thank you so much!

[@soundguitar]

Wow, thank you!

[@steffstig2468]

Hi Jared your videos are the best. would it be possible to create a PDF for this major scale topic that would be great

[@soundguitar]

Hi Steff. Thanks for asking. I'll have a PDF download of all the parent scales in the future, but for now you can grab the image file that embedded on the blog post for this lesson on my website here: www.soundguitarlessons.com/blog/major-scale-guitar-patterns - just scroll down and you'll see it. - hope that helps! Cheers, Jared

[@antoniojsantosjr]

Thanks!

[@soundguitar]

Thank you so much!! 🙏

[@mabblers]

Just curious then, so if a song is in say G Minor, I should use the G minor shape, and if the song is in major, I should use the major shape position. However I can play either shape as long as its in the correct position. Thanks Great videos.

[@kelseyjohnson2154]

Is the scale form you are teaching above the Major or as I have learned it the Mixolydian?

[@PemaWangchuk12]

Is there any stipulation on which finger to land on the root notes that economizes or makes fretting more efficient? And thanks, your lessons have single-handedly instilled confidence and belief in myself, and pushed me across the line to take the next step as a serious learner after a gap of over 15 years when I didn't have a guitar or even touched one.

[@randommandom4691]

I practice what is most ergonomic for my style and the direction you want to take the exercise. For memorizing the root octaves, try using fingerings that feel better to focus on the different movement and sound of each position

[@PemaWangchuk12]

Thanks. That really makes sense. Landing on the roots with the finger that best serves as the anchor to launch the other fingers up or down the scale as needed. I have relatively shortish fingers making this aspect all the more crucial. So every nugget of advice helps.

[@randommandom4691]

@@PemaWangchuk12 I am on the same page as you😂 when I was first discovering the major scale and practicing them, I had trouble with finding advice about the technical fingering. It really doesn't matter how you finger any of the playing, just be careful getting stuck in one scale position. Practicing different fingerings when moving between patterns will be a great exercise for your finger independence and versatility as well. The important thing is to visualize and understand the relationships you learn along the way! Best of luck on your journey man

[@claudiafrers8923]

Jared it has taken me about 2-3 weeks to get all these patterns down smoothly as a daily practice. Should I continue now with your “how to master guitar scales” video? I see that both have different intensions but does the order in which we learn the content matter. Anyone with an opinion on this: feel free to answer. Thx.

[@soundguitar]

Great question and awesome work getting through those, and congrats on your consistent practicing! The order for what to work on next doesn't matter so long as it's aligned with your goals. If it's something you want to be improving at then it's a great next option :) There's no one linear path that everyone should follow. Thanks for asking!

[@charlescamiel7082]

Do you by chance have the same scale diagrams with the finger numbering instead of the scale degree? I would find that very helpful. Thanks.

[@soundguitar]

I don't have that handy unfortunately, but that's a great idea and I'll add that to my list of resources to create. In the meantime this video might be helpful for the scale fingerings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJPFl3eLpZtlgbM

[@charlescamiel7082]

@@soundguitar That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[@soundguitar]

Awesome! :)

[@MusicWizard85]

This is a great video but you missed one important thing. You briefly mentioned it but didn't show how to play these in different keys. You should explain how the numbers on these patterns will change depending on the key. I can see how some are confused because they might think the "A Form" you show here at the first 6 frets can be applied to any key, lets say G major. They might think ok in that A Form pattern the G just becomes my 1, A 2 and so on. Unfortunately that's not true and they will find out when their 7 ends up being F instead of F#. Why? Because you only showed them these patterns in C major. It would be helpful I think if you just showed the same patterns/forms applied to different keys. In the case of G major they would want to use "E Form" on the first 5 frets with 3rd fret low E string G note being the 1 but that isn't very clear in this video. Going from left to right on the fretboard, the CAGED order for C major is AGEDC but for G major it's EDCAG. Just trying to help. You make great content that has helped me a lot!

[@5150Ludwick]

this has made me so confused

[@RahulSethi0]

Now this is C major . How do I move the patterns when I am playing in a different key? Let's say I want to play in E major? How will I move the patterns to fit this ? Like you started with A pattern for C major ,what should be my first pattern for E major? Any easy way to determine this instantly?

[@bustis84]

EXACTLY!! I would like to see him explain this. What does the pattern look like for G major? Surely don’t use the same pattern A pattern right…? How do you determine what the pattern looks like for each different key?? Video is a bit misleading making it seem like a one size fits all and not really giving examples of different key patterns. That’s what this video needs. Very easy for someone that knows what they’re looking for already.

[@StudioNalli]

​@@bustis84kinda late response but, the patterns are the exact same you just move the pattern and boom its a different scale

[@l.a.covers8400]

Hey Jared. Are you planning to Cover the CAGED system anytime soon?

[@soundguitar]

I could definiltey do a lesson on that. Anything about CAGED in particular that you'd find especially helpful to hear about, or would just a general overview/introduction of it be the best? Thanks!!

[@l.a.covers8400]

@@soundguitar i mean you can do an entire lesson playlist on it. Start with an overview. Then how to find chords on the neck (maj min, 7ths, 9ths and 11's

[@soundguitar]

@@l.a.covers8400 Awesome, thanks for the detailed suggestions - I really appreciate it and I'll take these all into consideration for planning out future lessons :)

[@l.a.covers8400]

@@soundguitar dont mention it. I really love the free content you got here. You dont try to bait us into buying your course or whatever. You just wanna teach and i appreciate that

[@soundguitar]

@@l.a.covers8400 Thanks so much, glad you're liking the lessons!

[@mdtanbirhossain7560]

For A form, what is the 3rd note you are playing on b string? If I start the same pattern for C scal, this note is giving A#, which is not a C scale note... is my understanding Correct?

[@MusicWizard85]

If you look at the A form (pause at 2:28) the 3 notes played on B string are the notes D, E, F or the 2rd, 3rd, and 4th degree of the C major scale.

[@heartsproductions9308]

Thank you, I got a question , what do the numbers mean on the scale chart?

[@MusicWizard85]

They are the note order of the scale. C major consists of C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Each note corresponds to the number. 1 is C (the ROOT note), 2 is D, 3 is E, 4 is F, 5 is G, 6 is A, 7 is B. Let's say you want to play in G major. If you pause the video at 2:56 and look at the "E Form" that's what you would apply if you wanted to start on the 3rd fret of the low E string which is the note G. So when you look at "E Form" and the numbers just put that number 1 as starting on the 3rd fret of the low E string and play the pattern from there. Now G = 1, A = 2, B = 3, C = 4, D = 5, E = 6, 7 = F#. He briefly touches on playing in different keys around 7:05 to 7:23

[@gregory4414]

I feel dumb asking this but why is the A Shape root a C?

[@thaynaralima6428]

This vídeo is so helpful, but I can't play other key than C with these partten, it doesn't match 😭 Can anyone help me??

[@Quarantain]

Not a bad lesson but it could be improved by a lot if the graphics were dynamic, showing what it is your playing on the fret board on the graphics as you're playing it.

[@soundguitar]

Thanks for watching. That takes hours and hours of extra editing time, but I do do that on many of my other scale videos. Check out my other scale videos to see that in action. Ideally I'd always highlight what I'm playing, but sometimes I just don't have the time to edit it that way, so I do my best with the time I have.

[@jayvion131]

Do you have a video that actually shows us how to start or play the major scales?

[@timhughes8851]

i can play and I am not following the written layout with what he plays. He is on the 6 th fret a lot and 1st pattern is only there 1 time.

[@docsspot1953]

I’ve been playing for lil over 60 years lol. I still don’t understand and yea. Goes kinda fast.

[@EvilSapphireR]

This doesn't help with the integration of the different patterns. When you can do that I feel that's when you'll REALLY feel completely confident on the fretboard.

[@soundguitar]

I have lessons on that too. Here's one of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmXQZamMdsigitk

[@unariptyltd6619]

You should play slower when you explain:) would be nice.

[@omedazizi1100]

U can slow it down from the settings

[@TheMorbidFascist]

I always wish people would play at speed.

[@dashelljohnson6714]

Haha if u can't keep up dont watch just get better

[@jakenorton4954]

How do I read the chart for the scales im so confused

[@MAX-de8fe]

fr its just random numbers i dont get it

[@simomaaroufi]

Those numbers are the notes don't mind them if you don't know music theory. Just follow the shape the low E string is the one at the bottom and the high E string is the one at the top. It's reversed.

[@yusufyayo1452]

Great vid but you went too fast when demonstrating. If you could go note by note slowly that’d help a lot because I’m not even sure where you started. Was it on the one ? Or ...

[@soundguitar]

Sorry that it was too fast! Yes, always starting on the 1 of the scale for this exercise

[@user-le9ki2sh5y]

what you play in guitar is different from what you show in the major scale pattern that's why it's confusing

[@jamesm.3967]

So you’re stuck on how to work the cage system into your practicing. I’ll show you how.. using your musical theory background etc… 😮

[@Cognitoman]

I thought positions and patterns are different things

[@theraise5243]

Why not just use the a form for all the notes? Why 5 patterns?

[@julioalvarado7548]

Well, it's because this way you got the notes on different positions with different sounds, it may sound unnecessary, but it gives more options when you try to find chords for your progressions, and also chords sound different in distinct parts of the fretboard.

[@julioalvarado7548]

Something that helps me is seeing it like a cooking knife collection, you can make everything with the same knife, but using more suitable ones for certain labors is more practical and gives better results overall.

[@julioalvarado7548]

And also complements the caged system.

[@josephraines4850]

Its all about the mode patterns 😂

[@lainyjordan9684]

I haven’t solidified.

[@longbui5430]

Difficult to follow. I can not play. Should show your finger slowly. I am a beginner.

[@MichaelSmith-tj7hm]

Slow down. Way to fast for an intermediate guitar player.

[@longbui5430]

you play fast. I can’t follow.yu shula show ur finger n the string or da not that s aside to follow

[@tewodorabrhambruk1161]

You are a good teacher but you talk too much instead of shpwing practicaly ,you finshed their time by talking

[@user-hd4ef9gp7z]

I'm really not trying to bust balls, video says easy way to learn. You literally switched from numbers to letters and still named them, but... noW* you have no clue which comes next because the letters aren't even in any order, you could have just taught whatever in firm 1,2,3 et. So we knew which form was next in line to go up the neck