The Five Positions of the Major Scale for Guitar

Learn how to effortlessly memorize and play the five positions of the major scale for guitar. Knowing the major scale in five different positions across the fretboard will enable you to see every interval location across the fretboard, which in turn will give you the ability to play different scales, modes, arpeggios, and chords anywhere you lay your hand on the guitar by simply adjusting certain intervals within the major scale (This also perfectly lines up with the CAGED system for guitar) and for this reason, this lesson also shows the 5 CAGED major scale positions and each Major chord in the CAGED system for guitar! This makes learning the 5 positions of the major scale across the fretboard a very powerful tool for guitarists.
If you liked this lesson, feel free to like, share, and leave a comment!
Here is a link to my CAGED System for Guitar Lesson mentioned in this video
• CAGED Guitar Chord Sys...
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▶ All Things Music Theory For Guitar
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#majorscale #samjamguitar #guitarscales
CHAPTERS -
00:00 Introduction
00:19 Why is the Major Scale So Important?
00:54 Position 1 Major Scale
01:05 How to Memorize Scales Quickly
01:36 Interval Locations
02:06 Position 2 Major Scale
03:02 Position 3 Major Scale
03:28 Position 4 Major Scale
04:02 Position 5 Major Scale

[@Samjamguitar]

Join the SAMJAMGUITAR official PATREON CLUB Patreon: www.patreon.com/samjamguitar Guitar Theory Poster Available at my MERCH STORE 🛒my-store-cb48d5-2.creator-spring.com (It's Awesome and really cheap)

[@patbunce1120]

As usual, this is another extremely helpful video. Thanks! In the future would you consider making a similar video on the natural minor scale as it relates to the 5 positions of the caged system?

[@Samjamguitar]

Absolutely! Although in the meantime if you shift your perspective on the major scale and treat the 6th degree as the root note then you will automatically have the 5 positions of the natural minor scale!

[@patbunce1120]

And that’s why you’re my go-to guitar guru. I’ll definitely give that a shot. Thanks!

[@user-lc8tt2un8g]

Wow, I been playing guitar since 10 years and I never seen such a more explained video, I always thought scales was very hard to learn you explained it so perfectly.

[@Samjamguitar]

You're very welcome!

[@wadecarefully]

I literally teach guitar and your videos blow my mind every time. Bravo man, these videos are helping even a seasoned guitarist like myself connect some dots. Between the visuals and thorough (but somehow also concise) explanations, these videos are an amazing resource for guitarists everywhere. Thanks for all the work you put into these videos!

[@Samjamguitar]

Glad to hear it!

[@deltafour1212]

To me, learning the fretboard using numbers instead of notes makes it SO much easier. You can relate it to the piano when making chords all over the fretboard.

[@Samjamguitar]

Intervals are king!!

[@deltafour1212]

@@Samjamguitar It's the only way to learn guitar, in my opinion

[@Phaseish]

So then since I come from Piano and theory, these intervals, taht guitarist call "closed positions" are actually modes? do you see this? or am I crazy? See I started studying scales with 3nps Modes and that's very straight forward, minus that the scale is extended with a 1, 2, 3, 4, in the octave. but guitarsits seem to call these positions but when i play them, on the different root notes I am hearing the modes this is very confusing for someone who learns guitar and knows theory, and with the guitar tuning going to a major third. and extending notes of a scale. getting the full tonality like you would on another instrument, becomes challenging with these shapes to remember at first. and heres another fun thing i have realized with these positions. The high E and B string shapes are the same as the 3nps Modes. So if we were in G major . A would be dorian in 3 nps, and B Closed position shape 3 , would technically be Phrygian right because of the minor 2nd. if you play the same pattern but then once you get to the G string, and you played Dorian 3nps shape , you can merge the two scales together. which makes sense becaues its the previious mode. However there are only 5 positions right , so that means two mode tonalitys are skipped also lol notice how there is no shape that actually starts with G ? lol lol these are the major scale positions, and none of them start on the root note, thats fucking hilarious. see the First position is locrian . So you can do the same thing you can even see the G, B, D, 3 nps, embedded in the Locrian scale. in the "first poistion" picture diagram. WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS THERE TOO MANY FUCKING WAYS TO SKIN A CAT ON THIS INSTRUMENT, AND THAT'S WHY HARDLY EVERYONE LEARNS THEORY ON IT

[@Phaseish]

I see how Starting with the root note.. changes the tonality but that's now the shape is so that's confusing. I have inheritly done t hat but that's not how it's shown i guess.

[@tomm5023]

@@Phaseish you got it right. It’s a complex instrument 😂. I learned to not rely on shapes but intervals. Shapes will make you go nuts. Too many of them for each triad or chord type. The 3nps in 7 positions makes a lot more sense vs CAGED. I Never got it going with CAGED, I doywant to think of a chord while actually playing another…Play your D in an E shape…horrible

[@dieselman7453]

Thanks so much this is one of the best eye opening videos ever for me I got so much out of it I can’t thank you enough.. I knew most of the shapes up to around 80 percent I now practice them in each key with a drone backing track it’s almost meditative.. you helped me figure out wat key I was in I’m still a little fuzzy but this helped so much especially the root note position placement for changing keys .. Thanks again this is a very important video I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.. no bullshit just learning and excellent teaching…cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪 Brian

[@Samjamguitar]

Fantastic Brian! Thanks for Watching👌

[@2_st0ned70]

Hey Sam im happy you still around and make videos! You dont know how much you helped me to understand guitar. I discovered your channel last year and have made 300% progress since then. Thank you so much!

[@Samjamguitar]

Glad to hear it! and thanks for your continued support!

[@Akyra_hun]

you made my life easyer. this is the way i can learn. THANKS!

[@Samjamguitar]

Happy to help!

[@mundocamaleao]

Wonderful explanation!

[@Samjamguitar]

Many thanks!!

[@AllanYangUSA]

Wow, this was awesome

[@Samjamguitar]

Thanks!

[@Truth_Hurts_Bad]

Just what I needed. Superb videos, bruv. Cheersies.

[@Samjamguitar]

Cheers 👌

[@MrJiggajordan]

I spent good money on an app that is for learning instruments. Yall, I have learned more from this fella Sam than the app. Do with that what you may, but thank you Samjamguitar!

[@Samjamguitar]

Fantastic! Glad to help!

[@I.M.Guitar-Nerd]

Guitar KZbin needs more Samjamguitar!

[@Samjamguitar]

Working on it!

[@h__8792]

All your videos teach me something new. Thank you so much for your content :)

[@Samjamguitar]

Happy to hear that! Thanks!

[@kgeniusreggaeartist1685]

I love what you’re doing brethren

[@Samjamguitar]

thanks👌

[@nuwabeats4706]

Thank you for I have learnt something helpful

[@Samjamguitar]

Glad to help!

[@matthewaltomare7629]

Another thing that helped me while learning these positions was also adding the position # to the corresponding mode shape. So 1-Ionian 2-Dorian 3-Lydian 4-Mixolydian 5-Aeolian

[@mriganka1000]

Wooww.. beautiful way of explanation.. God bless

[@Samjamguitar]

Thanks a lot!

[@neilcross6542]

thanks sam gr8 lesson gr8 graphics

[@Samjamguitar]

gr8 comment

[@vinvin1909]

Nice. Cheers.

[@Samjamguitar]

Thanks!

[@mikelaugasr.4218]

I started on the first string instead of the 6th string then the 6th string on position 2 . Now on position 3 rinse and repeat , it gives me a different flavor when playing with backing tracks.

[@zorobotskills2470]

Nice vid

[@Samjamguitar]

Much appreciated 👌

[@monop8]

Your editing is insane bro good shit

[@Samjamguitar]

Thanks!

[@marcelfok2561]

Don’t fret it! Samjamguitar is the man! 👍

[@Samjamguitar]

cheers!

[@terhorantalainen7125]

ty

[@Samjamguitar]

no probs!

[@therealdanielfaris]

tips on Memorizing Interval locations?

[@karlwhitehouse3052]

This is great thanks, although I know the major scale in 5 positions still very informative. I noticed 4th and 5th positions are slightly different to what I've learnt but only in the sense of a couple of notes added or omitted, still , both versions still in key. By any chance you might do the minor scale in five positions? Thanks again

[@Samjamguitar]

I haven't yet done the natural minor in 5 positions... however, the major scale is the natural minor scale if you treat the 6th degree as the root...so technically, you already know them! You just have to shift your perspective!!

[@karlwhitehouse3052]

@@Samjamguitar oh yes the relative minor . Thanks

[@northcountryfisher2121]

Do the positions stay in the same place as you've shown up the fretboard? Or do you start the first position after picking a different key, say A on fifth fret or B on seventh. Great content by the way.

[@Samjamguitar]

Exactly as you described! The patterns move relative to the root position👌 like most chords/scales on Guitar!

[@graciee1156]

May seem like a dumb question but I’m still learning and a bit lost, how do I know what key signature one of these positions is in? And if it’s by what note you treat as the root note, how do I do that?

[@Samjamguitar]

Hi Grace! There is no such thing as a dumb question! The key is determined by the root note. For example; if you played position 1 of the major scale starting on the 5th fret of the Low E string, this would be an A note and therefore would place you in the key of A. From here all the other positions would join together with this position as shown in the video. You could start on the 7th fret of the Low E string (B note) and you would be in the key of B etc. All scales on the guitar work like this and are shiftable around the fretboard to enable you to play in different keys. If the main problem you are having is actually knowing the notes of the fretboard then I would highly recommend watching this video first kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGwaIiXiK-SgLM Let me know if this answered your question! If not don't hesitate to ask again👌

[@ragealexium285]

What are these for? Can I use all positions on different keys? How?

[@Maybe_or_Not-J05h]

I have a question. Depending on the different position youre playing a different mode of G right? So 2nd position being A Dorian. If thats the case what about position 7 for F# locrian? Since i already know the natural minor scale for the aeolian mode i dont need help on the supposely "6th position."

[@Samjamguitar]

Rather than learning different positions for each mode, I prefer to use the parallel method for modes (adjusting intervals within the 5 positions of the major scale) this of course means that if you learn the 5 positions of the major scale, you have also just learnt all 5 positions of every major scale mode.

[@Maybe_or_Not-J05h]

@@Samjamguitar I kinda of understand where you coming from. But can you give a quick example to calrify what you mean?

[@Samjamguitar]

Simply memorizing modes as patterns on the fretboard is not the best way... it can be done like this, however if you truly want to understand the intervals in modes, why they work, how to write modal chord progressions and what chords/chord progressions they work over then the parallel approach is better. For example the lydian mode is 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 so simply raise the 4th degree of the major scale and you have lydian! Learn to adjust the intervals in the major scale and you have chords/modes and everything else you could ever need!

[@Maybe_or_Not-J05h]

@@Samjamguitar oh I see so modify the major (ionian scale) intervals to the corresponding mode. So flat the 3rd, 6th, and 7th will get you natural minor (aoelion scale)? And locrian practically flattens almost all the intervals, etc. thanks!

[@Samjamguitar]

@Maybe_or_Not-J05h exactly! Please feel free to check out my MODES video on the channel!

[@markblaze3764]

Sorry I am a complete beginner, please let me ask a stupid question. The five positions shown by you in this video is specifically for the G major scale, right? If the root note changes, I assume the position of the scales also change? Or does it remain constant for all?

[@Samjamguitar]

An example would be to play the 5 positions in the key of A. The A note is located on the 5th fret of the E string. You would now start position 1 of the major scale from here and the remaining positions would connect to position 1 as they did in the above video! Hope that helps...feel free to ask again if you still have questions!

[@markblaze3764]

@@Samjamguitar Thank you for your reply. I think I get the rough idea about it. So, when i try to play the major scale in the A key, do the positions of the note numbers (1~7) change? For example, if the location of A note is the 5th fret of the E string, then that is 1 and then 2,3 and so on will be placed in the same intervals as the G key? Sorry for being very vague with my question.......

[@Samjamguitar]

Try to visualize the entire G major scale moving up by 2 frets. This will now be the A major scale.

[@markblaze3764]

@@Samjamguitar Ah i see, thank you for the reply. I also looked up the chart for major scale of different keys to understand the how the intervals change for each key. it seems that the intervals and the shape (1~7) of the scale remain the same, just the fret number changes.

[@Samjamguitar]

Glad you got it!

[@repan801]

Is major scale and diatonic scale the same?

[@Samjamguitar]

A diatonic scale is any 7 note scale with 5 whole steps and 2 half steps..... the major scale is one of these diatonic scales.

[@repan801]

@@Samjamguitar got it thank youu!!

[@Samjamguitar]

Great!

[@yoramazing1993]

Interesting.. Like Jean Pierre de la rue Channel...

[@sini0071]

Is this the pentatonic scale?

[@Samjamguitar]

No this is the major scale👌

[@sini0071]

@@Samjamguitar Thank you, I'm watching your first position pentatonic scale video right now. it is very helpful

[@Samjamguitar]

Great! I was going to send you a link to that very video but you seem to have found it anyway!! Be sure to watch all 5 parts! The 5th video shows how the 5 positions of minor pentatonic are also the 5 positions of the major pentatonic.

[@ThatCrazyBroButWhoAsk]

im just into music only 8 months and don’t get anything in this😅😅

[@Samjamguitar]

Start with some of my other lessons first and work towards this!

[@Sasquatch10]

It's nothing to be ashamed off. For a long time i didn't understand anything, even now there's so many things i don't know but i am building a good base understanding. As long as you don't give up, things will eventually start clicking and making sense.

[@Samjamguitar]

Well said👌

[@karlderdelinckx]

Start by learning a pentatonic scale. Put on you’re radio. Try to Mach the pentatonic to the song you hear. Once you know that you can look for the 5 shapes of a pentatonic over the neck. Which are the same notes but in an other location of the neck. Once you figured that out you’ll understand this way better.

[@ThatCrazyBroButWhoAsk]

@@karlderdelinckx im now working on memorize fretboard but there always one thing i wonder that the position of the note and a scale across entire fretboard, what the meaning of this? What position of a same triads should I choose? It is on the fret 3 or the fret 10 or it simple is depend on comfortable position? This thing are so confuse and frustrated (Sr if my eng sound that bad)