The Best Way To Memorize (3-note-per-string) Scales and Modes?

I developed The Color System years ago and it has helped so many people memorize all seven 3-note-per-strings scale shapes. Here's an introduction and example video of it. Thanks for watching.
Check out all my lesson videos at: www.the-art-of-...
Patreon: / theartofguitar
Thanks everyone.

[@Lil-lau96]

This is great way to learn and understanding modes: Red - Ionian (major scale) Orange - Dorian Yellow - Phrygian Green - Lydian Blue - Mixolydian Indigo - Aeolian (minor scale) Violet - Locrian

[@smokingpancake9022]

I don’t fight like Muhammad Ali

[@7riXter]

Wow red form and orange form and everything is magically connecting... oh... yeah... it’s just the modes 😅

[@theddd1513]

That should be in the video, also, why and where the intervalls change

[@skintslots]

I Dont Particularly Like Modes A Lot.

[@luckydog-287]

Thank you! Now I know what they are for!

[@LynnAMin-dn4xd]

You just gave me motivation to learn more about guitar instead of relying on my instinct. Thanks man

[@hannanathan564]

I like this! I’m going to incorporate it with my guitar students with anything using diatonic positions. 7 colors in an order everyone knows, 7 modes, I can’t believe I never thought of this. I generally just say 1st position, 2nd, 3rd, etc like everyone else; but I feel like this would help certain types of thinkers who don’t respond to clinical terms and constant numbers. Especially when we already use numbers to describe other things, it get confusing to some students. Really cool stuff man, thanks.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

If you want to connect all 7 in the key of A major do this: Start the Red Form at the 5th Fret, Orange at the 7th, Yellow at the 9th, Green at the 10th, etc. :) Have fun.

[@VincentBakker1964]

You really should stop giving the keys to the Ferrari to the kids... Just kidding, great lesson!

[@reeisuu1982]

where could is see the pattern green blue violet?

[@RockwithAbe]

No wonder how u used to look as a kid

[@feggymango]

If your in key of a on 5th fret using red shape, what shape would be to the right of it-the first 5 frets

[@harleysanders4982]

Thank you dude ! U rock

[@adel-ub2op]

your ways of teaching and practice/routine videos have helped me so much, I always recommend you to others when they're stuck

[@jadm110]

I have been a member on multiple on line lesson sites. and I have found THE ART OF GUITAR to be the best instructional that I have found on the internet, i recommend THE ART OF GUITAR for any one trying to improve their playing

[@edyoung4450]

what i found also helpful is naming each note you play when going through each shape. it reinforces what notes are in the scale and where they are on the neck and how it fits together. (this is more useful when playing the shapes together instead of on top of each other)

[@Kriegter]

I always liked to think of 3 note per string as being comprised of 3 shapes that are always in the same vertical arrangement. First there is the major shape, which is just root and 2 whole tones, then minor shape, which is root, whole tone then semitone, and locrian shape, which is root, semitone then whole tone. You can stack these shapes into all the notes in a key with major shape being stacked 3 times, next is locrian shape 2 times then minor shape 2 times, then repeat. The mode you play depends on where you start off in the final arrangement.

[@heavenorhell2024]

If you didnt notice there is pattern too going: there are 7 strands/patterns: 3 0x0x0 and pairs of two 00x0 and 0x00, and they all follow each other like mosaic, of course there is B string it pushes pattern. One of shapes/strands in the scale shape always missing. For me its easier to remember that way, because you only need to remeber how first pattern starts. And ofcourse you could call it mode if it doesnt start on root (or call it ionian).

[@umpolpip4619]

Most practical abbreviation; 0x0x0 / 00x0 / 0x00, Thanks

[@felipebascunantips]

im a very bad guitar player... and after yearsm something so simple helps me a lot!!!!, i follow your advice and search for a mayor back tracking and.. man... finally i feel it!!!

[@MattMacKo]

Best thing I learn in this video. Go to KZbin, type in a-major and drone a pad. And practice over it. Genius

[@phillexstewart1300]

This was an amazing lesson! Stacking the red on the orange feels great!

[@shreyasnehru8846]

Congratulations on 500k subs Your videos are truly amazing and we can take away so much from it...

[@simmonphoenix3206]

Wow I needed this. Color idea was brilliant.

[@GB-rb1up]

When I learned the 7 modes they also reminded me of colors that I could hear. But I thought of the darker ones as more to the red side and the brighter ones toward the violet side. So for me they went like this: Locrian, Phrygian, Aeolian, Dorian, Mixolydian, Ionian, and then Lydian. Either way, it works great.

[@KenneyCmusic]

These are great lessons. I've been wanting to learn this concept for years. Funny thing I noticed, the first 9 notes of the orange pattern are used in the Lost Woods tune from Zelda: Ocarina of time. lol

[@markusherman1948]

Havent it been for you! I've never learned so much in two years!

[@johnnyespinoza6861]

It's about time I started scales instead of just learning songs after nearly 2 years

[@3dprotoplanet948]

Hi Mike, thank you for the video. I think this video would be great if combined with an explanation of what scales and modes are. With that in context, it makes your color system make more sense. Just another 3 minutes and I think it would make it all click better. Keep in mind I'm a newish guitarist and had to refresh myself on the bigger picture of scales and modes. Sometimes you have to see the forest from the trees.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Like I said in the video, this is just a demonstration of an entire system I teach on my website. Just a quick video to explain something much bigger. ;)

[@Owned1x89]

what an amazing video for scale patterns

[@bad4covidompampas359]

how can it be that knowing and able to play all of those stuff/modes but not get to understand how to actualy use them or why i learned all that stuff is mental ! how can u be the worst teacher the moment of teaching free stuff and the moment of payment content u are the greatest teacher ever,,,,,

[@ss-wh3sx]

like if i play a Dmin chord in the back ground and i play the Cmaj shape it gives the D dorian sound..or the A# maj shape gives you the D phrgian sound... the G# maj shape gives u the Dlydian sound and the Gmaj shape gives you the D mixolydian sound and so on...all from just one shape...i can get all 7 mode sounds...

[@brandonblaquiere5694]

Amazing useful lesson

[@maxkelter3561]

I like the legato shreding exercise in the beginning.

[@simonsun6197]

Hi man enjoying the vids was just wondering if you can do a review of your collection of guitars?

[@juzzie]

Yeah man, give us a few vids of why u like them etc..

[@Cake_Doge]

Just straight up a studio tour

[@Nick20-100]

Yes I would like to know the model of his Floyd Rose Jackson! Love it so much!

[@Born2RiffRock]

Can we have a pdf of the color scales ? It would help us tremendously to post them in our practice room as we play them. Thanks great content. Love watching your videos..

[@theddd1513]

You should make a theorie part on the end. Thanks for sharing

[@richcibelli1445]

Thank you for the lesson!

[@wajs102]

I feel like I'm almost there, understanding the fretboard and scales/modes is a whole language. I'm trying to grasp it 😭. Where in the website can I find this video? Edit: I subscribed to your classes! So much knowledge couldn't pass on that, great teaching skills man!

[@emperorwulf5645]

Feels good to break out of the pentatonic rut once and for all

[@Fourteenflow40]

Thank you

[@WilliamMartinez-lm1sk]

Hello, Great Job, keep up the Good Work, Thank you. 🎼🎵🎹🎶🎸.

[@55maltesers]

Thank you, just the information I'm looking for.

[@thomasendel7883]

Dude you have such great taste in guitars. I am such fan of this Charvel and your custom black les paul

[@therealrockpresley]

heck yes. this is brilliant.

[@jacariwatsonalard5742]

THANKS

[@paulwilder8127]

Thank mate your 🌟 guitar teacher

[@tubeamp2872]

Excellent excellent excellent

[@kwilson962]

I'm impressed with his finger span. I have a 3/4 size guitar, and I still cannot achieve such a spread.

[@rasmadrak]

Make sure you're not resting the guitar in your palm, and that your fingers are indeed curled with your thumb roughly behind your middle finger. :)

[@6_sta.ana_marcedrianmacata632]

Awesome

[@meenakshijoshi7284]

Charvel looks great👌

[@stevieboi61]

👌thankyou.

[@easygoinggrant6817]

Great lesson!!

[@sdegraafkaag]

Great system! Some call it the Na system.....see worshipwoodshed...colours work well too Thanks!

[@orangeapple681]

Dude nice API lunchbox and Kemper!

[@rasmusdavidandersen7195]

Im know I’m 4 years to late on that video but I hope I can get an answer, does it matter to play the middle or ring finger on the b note (7 fret) when playing the first two licks from the red a major 3 note scale?

[@x--LeethaL--x]

I've picked up the guitar again to actually learn how to play other than Just fool around. I've started on A minor and a minor pentatonic.. For the life of me I cannot get my ring an pinky to lift and move as quick as the others especially when they are used simultaneously. Why?.

[@LakriTs9]

random thing i dont know if i'm doing this wrong but i don't necesarily memorise it as scales i more off it think about where the notes are and think it more like chords so i know where the octaves are etc makes it alot easier for me to visualise the entire thing. vertically and horisontally. maybe it's a bad way off seeing it tho idk.

[@zlmp_1682]

Cool

[@nhproductions1895]

Now that must have taken a lon time. I know. I always have such situations in video making 😅

[@christineblack4654]

love that guitar :)

[@choochoochooseyou]

How would you know which scale you're in if you start in different parts of the neck?

[@neilmartin99]

Ok you lost me. I get how the red and orange connect. they are in the A major scale. But what is going on with the yellow box? Why are you starting that on the 5th fret? That's not still A major is it?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I started them all on the 5th fret at first just to show the form. When you learn all 7 you connect them going up. So if you want to connect the red, orange, and yellow it's easy, just start Red on the 5th fret, the orange on the 7th, and the yellow on the 9th. Like I said, they connect like puzzle pieces. :)

[@neilmartin99]

@@TheArtofGuitar Oh okie dokie. I didn't read the instructions. As a dumbass intermediate, and master of the pentatonic scales (LOL), it would be easier for me and less confusing if you just showed the colors/shapes on the actual starting frets. Probably in the minority on that. Anyway, love your lessons. Rock on.

[@jjrusy7438]

If you look at your guitar string-by-string and play an A major scale on the A string you go the following sequence of half steps: 2-2-1-2-2-2-1 which ends on the A octave. (12th fret) that's all the colors of one string. if you move to the D string, you are now 3 notes up the A scale (2-2-1=D). I f you are going to stay in the giant A box, you have to keep the pattern and go: 2-2-2-1(the A)-2-2-1 back to D 12th fret. here's all your colors of the D. The open G string is not in the box lol. anyway, the point is, that the entire guitar is just shifted A-scales, up each string, making a giant set of dots on the entire neck. those are your legal notes to play the modes of A. This video is about taking crosscuts to select chunks of legal dots vs the long-cuts down each string. once you cut out a box and see the pattern of dots, you can move up or down any number of frets and slice out a new box from the master dot set . same church different pew. if the boxes overlap, they fit. HTH, with an alternate view.

[@danicali7510]

I'm thinking of getting into electric guitar. does anyone have any advice, and/or suggestions on good beginner guitars? if it makes any difference, I'm a 14 year old girl, and I have a ukulele and violin, so I have experience with stringed instruments.

[@SpokenEnglishMovie]

Honestly any guitar would do. I started with a Chinese replica of Fender. It is called "Iren" and costed me only 80 bucks. I learned all basics on it. Start with open chords and try playing some basic pop songs. Then you can learn some pentatonic scales and play them with backing tracks. Then at least try barred chords. Once you done with that, get yourself a small amplifier. I bought "blackstars" it is still amazing. Now you will discover new sounds on your guitar with overdrive and equalizer. You can now learn slides, bends, and pull offs. Your solos over a backing track will be more diverse now. From there it will take care of itself. Welcome to the club. Good luck!

[@VxDxLx]

Ima memorize all these simply because I have nothing better to be practicing.

[@ophiuckus1635]

I've been using the caged system and the arpeggio's associated with them; just don't seem to click with me tbh.. Think I'm gonna re-learn and use the 3nps system..

[@PlouplePoupi]

Very helpful thank u🇫🇷👍🏼🍒

[@mattgilbert7347]

Never could manage 3 notes per string if it's whole notes (ie: frets 5-7-9, etc). Maybe on a 3/4 scale guitar like that Rickenbacker 325 John Lennon used. Do they still make those? I can do it with a capo on the 5th fret. But I find CAGED and pentatonic much easier on my ageing hands.

[@thomasendel7883]

It sounds like Satriani🔥

[@jahlove6648]

Help!! I understand the patterns and notes for that particular key. but what if i wanted to change the key..would i just need to select root note on the low E string then follow the same pattern????

[@TheArtofGuitar]

If you start the red form on the note of whatever key you’re in, they all work.

[@jahlove6648]

@@TheArtofGuitar oh i see thanks for the reply.

[@gitarman666]

If each position has a different mode name how can one play one mode (say Ionian) up and down the fretboard and stay in Ionian, doesn’t every position change the mode?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Let's say you're playing the Red Form. Played from the beginning of that shape you get the Ionian mode. Here's the magic. All 7 shapes become extensions of that same mode, just merely ways to connect all the forms. Try it. Put on a backing track in G major and start the Red Form on the 3rd fret of the 6th string (G). You'll find that all 7 color forms contain the exact same notes.

[@gitarman666]

@@TheArtofGuitar so I am passing through the various modes if I focus on the root and choice of starting mode, can I then call the whole bit by that mode name and that key (root)?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Yes. So if you decide to do Dorian you can (for example) start on the Orange Form on whatever main note you're building from. Let's just say A Dorian so starting on the 5th fret of the 6th string. Now all the color forms will work together becoming one huge form (All 7 combined) with all the notes of A Dorian contained in them. (A, B, C, D, E, F#, G)

[@vjensen56]

I’m just learning the 3nps and right away I wanted a charvel lol. How do you like yours?

[@johnc9859]

all downstrokes?

[@headshot217]

So are these scales or modes? and what's the difference!?

[@KevinORourke25]

A mode is a scale. It's just that the tonal center of the scale changes depending on what mode you playing in. Say you're playing in "A". In the Ionian (Major) mode, the tonal center would be on the "A" note. If you were playing Dorian Mode (which is the second mode) in the key of "A", the tonal; center would be the second note of the A scale which would be "B". Even though you started on the second note, which is B (Dorian) you're still playing in the Key of A. This sounds confusing even as I write it. Sorry, it's the best that I can do. Kevin O'Rourke

[@AlecJr21]

Both. All of them are the Major Scale starting on another note. So if you're actually playing them from the "top left" note onwards you're playing in other modes. The red one starts with the first note, playing it from there makes it Ionian (Major). The orange one starts on the second note, playing it from there makes it Dorian. But you can utilise all of these scales for playing each mode, just start and emphasize in another place. Try to see the actual notes in every scale and not just dots. This stuff can be confusing until it clicks then it will appear obvious ;)

[@Heroball299]

Are all of these just the notes in the major scale?

[@kellyhouseholder6737]

Mike, thanks for the video. I don't seem to understand why you need the Orange pattern when you already cover the orange between the red and yellow. Seems like more to learn without a benefit?

[@GilmoursHeaven]

mind blown

[@samiihaq]

Could you please tell me the names of the modes you're playing? Like which color is lydian, phrygian, etc

[@TheArtofGuitar]

If you want to only label the colors by the mode they create based off the first note it's easy: Red:Ionian, Orange: Dorian, Yellow: Phrygian etc. But don't just think of them this way because they each contain every mode. Go deeper to see it. :)

[@samiihaq]

@@TheArtofGuitar oh alright, thank you so much

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Because they are just forms of possibilities, Depending on which tone you consider the main one, you can have all 7 modes, the major and the minor scales. It's very powerful. For example, if you take just the Red Form and start on the first note you have the natural major scale and the Ionian Mode. If you simply think of the 2nd tone in the form as your main note you have Dorian and on and on. It goes deep which is why I put it all in my main teaching site. Even if you just master the Red Form you can have so many options. :)

[@mikea3381]

@@TheArtofGuitar New to soloing,can i jump from the red scale directly into say anywhere in the orange? Or do i need to play say a note in the red directly connected to an ornge scale note to transition,if that makes sense the way im asking?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Well try putting Red and Orange together like I did in the video and you'll see that they share frets with each-other. They are literally connected, not just next to each other but they overlap. :)

[@randomdude93-93]

Just for clarity, by playing those shapes starting on the root note (A, 5th fret), does that make the orange B dorian and the yellow C phyrgian? I'm just learning this stuff... XD

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Red Form starting in 5th fret (A) makes A Ionian, so them Orange would be B Dorian, C# Phrygian and so on. :)

[@MichaelBFusion]

Is this basically the same as the CAGED system? I'm baked guys When you said connecting the pieces like blocks and went to forms/shapes I instantly remembered some CAGED system stuff

[@yamraaj4529]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@christineblack4654]

are you saying that you can change colours at any time? like can you do three strings red and the next three strings yellow for example?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

You can change color but you have to jump to the part of the neck where that color is located in whatever key you’re in. So say you’re in Red Form in the key of G so you start it on the 6th string 3rd fret. Well you can jump to Orange but you’ll have to slide up to get out of Red and into Orange because Orange is located a bit higher up the neck.

[@SILVIOV76]

What about just 1,2,3,4....7 if you learn intervals of the scales and arpeggios and modes you'll see the patterns.

[@mikea3381]

I dont see the extended video at your page. Ive been subbed for some time.

[@mikea3381]

Found it

[@12monkeys95]

What do three note per string scales do to help your playing? Do they help with mode playing or just soloing in a certain key?

[@smolpp5316]

Legato runs are easier on 3nps with how the notes are layed out. But CAGED makes it easier to visualise arpeggios, at least in my experience.

[@lucianomoggi2155]

@@smolpp5316 exactly....I can't see how you can visualize arpeggios on a 3nps form

[@christineblack4654]

can these 7 shapes be used for 1 key?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Yes. That’s when they work best and all at once across the neck. :)

[@aurum1235]

what guitar is that ?

[@jimmyknox2601]

What's better 2/3nps or 3nps patterns? Any response would be greatly appreciated.

[@marcrchz]

It's not like one is better than the other, they both carry different functions when improvising, and have different sounds. Overall, the 3nps isn't a very melodic approach for most chord progressions. Learning the minor scale across the fretboard will be much more useful and a much better foundation for advancing afterwards than learning the 3nps system wich is basically a major scale.

[@deetsugc7311]

What are the names of the other ones other than red , the red was a major scale what are the other ones lol

[@gurditt_singh]

You hit 500k subs mehnnn

[@spules]

My formula for red is: Shape: 2-1-2-1-2-1 Notes: 1-1-1, 1-1-1, 2-1, 2-1, 1-2, 1-2 Anyone else remembering it like this? Any tips?

[@bluejr1234]

Maybe this: • • • = 1 •• • = 2 • •• = 3 Comma = 1 fret forward Period = 2 frets forward Ionian: 11,22,33 (One one comma two two comma three three) Dorian: 3111.22 (Three one one one period two two) Phrygian: 2331,11 (Two three three one comma one one) Lydian: 1,223,31 (One comma two two three comma three one) Mixolydian: 111,2,23 (One one one comma two comma two three) Aeolian: 3311,1,2 (Three three one one comma one comma two) Locrian: 2233,11 (Two two three three comma one one)

[@joy211191]

Instead of ROYGBIV, try VIBGYOR

[@BeeGee7719]

How about in the open position? No one ever starts in the open position

[@TheArtofGuitar]

On the website I start each form from open position. Sometimes the shape of the scale needs to be altered to accommodate for that so that's why most people teach it from a higher position.

[@stephaniegonzalez7475]

Yo, your at 500k

[@adityarohanik0]

why are these scales named after colors?

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Just a memorization/visualization method we use for 3-note-per-string forms.

[@adityarohanik0]

@@TheArtofGuitar Thanks for the reply! I wanted to recommended a video idea. I think you could make a video on explaining what scales are exactly and if there are any rules/note pattern to follow. I think that'll help people figure out scales.

[@definitelynothorse_7821]

Attempt #1 of posting until he gets sanctus back together

[@fake734]

Isn.t that the diatonic scale ?

[@johnbrillo2724]

you forgot to show the notes on the graph.

[@neilmartin99]

Do you have any tricks to help us move down the neck easily? Say I'm in the A major scale at the 2nd fret 245 245 024 124 235 245 and want to slide down the neck to another position, or color as you call it. How can I do that quickly and stay in key?

[@misterroberts344]

a tip i would give as a 15 year player would be to memorize the notes on the guitar. You don't have to remember the letters themselves. If you were going 2 4 5 on the E, you could play 9, 11, 12 on the A. Because if the 7th fret on your A is open E then the 9th fret on A is the 2nd fret on E. Then you can transcribe the scale from there, or learn how to transcribe all the strings. Either way good luck!

[@justinekevin7645]

how to make it in minor

[@combatkettle]

First comment

[@TheTimeProphet]

I can play all the shapes but I can't do the colours of the rainbow LOL.

[@thy_apostle]

5:41...... 9/11😳 this must be a hidden message from the illuminati haha

[@jaimesalazar3727]

Sup

[@A_Proud_Indian]

VIBGYOR

[@ss-wh3sx]

its nice to think this way...but learning these 7 shapes isnt gonna help you in your guitar playing...the only thing it does is help with your fretboard fingering placement...cause theyre all the same notes just in diff orders..

[@davidramirez4810]

Are you plucking each string twice? Right hand instruction is always missing.

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

Guitar alamode

[@strangnet]

Why add colours on top of it all? Makes no sense. Green says nothing about the mode, nor does orange. It's like talking about letters in the alphabet by their order. "Oh, yeah. You spell Hi with eight-nine"

[@TheArtofGuitar]

It’s a tremendous help for memorization.

[@strangnet]

@@TheArtofGuitar For me it adds a layer of abstraction. I don't see what the colour has to do with the scale/mode. "I do pot, leave me alone locrian" is an easier way to remember the order, I guess. Maybe I'm missing some information here to make sense of ROGGBIV and the scales?

[@chrisburzenski2317]

A la Frank Gambale!